By Rahul Banerji
Two-time national champion Avani Prashanth took a good runner-up placing with a closing 3 under par 70 at the Australian Master of Amateurs Championships in Melbourne on Friday.
The rising Indian star was one shot behind Rianne Mikhaela Malixi of the Philippines at the finish line on 6 under 286 with rounds of 71, 68, 77 and 70.
For her part, Malixi closed with a 4 under 69 to go with earlier cards of 70, 72 and 74 at the Southern Golf Club in Melbourne.
Early leader Nika Ito of Japan took third place on 5 under 287 (68-70-78-71) while Australia’s Lion Higo was fourth on 288 with cards of 71-71-70-76.
“I think it was a good week. Today I put myself in a very good position to win, but I didn’t finish it off,” Avani said later.
Busy prorgamme
“I’m now looking forward to an exciting first quarter when I will be playing top-class amateur and pro tournaments in Australia, Thailand, Kenya and the US. “
In 2023 Avani won the Queen Sirikit Cup, where the 16-year-old Malixi was third.
The other Indian woman participant Heena Kang missed the 54-hole cut, as did Rohit Narwal and Sandeep Yadav. All four will next play the Australian Amateur at the Yarra Yarra Golf Club and Keysbrough Golf Club from January 16 to 19.
Malixi and Avani will battle it out again next week and then at the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific in Thailand in early February. Last year, Avani finished sixth at the Master of Amateurs event.
It was a big win for Malixi, who was the most consistent with rounds of 74 or better on each of the four days, while Avani, Ito and Higo had one blowout each.
The Filipino teenager was emotional when she received the symbolic Green Jacket alongside men’s champion Phoenix Campbell.
Also read: IGU to send four amateurs for two top events in Australia
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