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Malixi Named to WGCA Player of the Year Watch List
5/7/2026 3:00:00 PM | Women's Golf
DURHAM, N.C. – As the Duke women's golf program gets set to head to Ann Arbor, Michigan for the NCAA Regionals, Blue Devil freshman Rianne Malixi received another honor Thursday as she was named one of 12 watch list selections for the Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) Division I Ping Player of the Year.
The PING WGCA Player of the Year is awarded annually to the best player in Division I women's golf. Each player must complete a minimum of 15 rounds during the competitive year, including NCAA Regional Championships.
Other watch list selections include Farah O'Keefe (Texas), Maria Jose Marin (Arkansas), Kiara Romero (Oregon), Paula Martin Sampedro (Stanford), Avery Weed (Mississippi State), Andrea Revuleta (Stanford), Paula Francisco (Florida), Megha Ganne (Stanford), Catherine Park (Southern California), Vanessa Borovilos (Texas A&M) and Jasmine Koo (Southern California).
Malixi was recently named a postseason watch list candidate for The ANNIKA Award and was selected to participate in the Arnold Palmer Cup this summer.
A native of Manila, Philippines, Malixi has carded a 68.67 stroke average in four tournaments this spring. She has posted seven rounds in the 60s and shot a combined 31-under-par in those four events. Malixi turned in a first-place finish at the Sea Best Intercollegiate, a second-place finish at the ACC Championship, a third-place ledger at the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate and a tied for third finish at the Charles Schwab Women's Collegiate Invitational.
Malixi, who is currently ranked No. 7 nationally in the latest Scoreboard Powered by clippd rankings, also competed in the Old Barnwell Derby Match Play and went a perfect, 3-0, helping lead the Blue Devils into the championship match. She shot a combined 15-under-par in the three matches during the week.
She is coming off carding an 11-under-par, 205, at the ACC Championship where she finished runner up. At the Sea Best Intercollegiate, Malixi claimed her first collegiate victory in record fashion as she carded a 9-under-par, 63, in the final round and a 54-hole score of 16-under-par, 200. The round of 63 tied for the lowest 18-hole score on a par-72 course in Duke history and the three-day total of 200 was the lowest score in Blue Devil lore. Malixi's 16-under score was tied for the 20th-lowest 54-hole score in relation to par in NCAA history and her 63 was tied for the 21st-lowest 18-hole score as well. She also became just the 15th freshman to shoot a 63 or better in a season.
Duke opens the Ann Arbor Regional May 11-13 at the University of Michigan Golf Course.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's golf, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWGOLF".
#GoDuke
The PING WGCA Player of the Year is awarded annually to the best player in Division I women's golf. Each player must complete a minimum of 15 rounds during the competitive year, including NCAA Regional Championships.
Other watch list selections include Farah O'Keefe (Texas), Maria Jose Marin (Arkansas), Kiara Romero (Oregon), Paula Martin Sampedro (Stanford), Avery Weed (Mississippi State), Andrea Revuleta (Stanford), Paula Francisco (Florida), Megha Ganne (Stanford), Catherine Park (Southern California), Vanessa Borovilos (Texas A&M) and Jasmine Koo (Southern California).
Malixi was recently named a postseason watch list candidate for The ANNIKA Award and was selected to participate in the Arnold Palmer Cup this summer.
A native of Manila, Philippines, Malixi has carded a 68.67 stroke average in four tournaments this spring. She has posted seven rounds in the 60s and shot a combined 31-under-par in those four events. Malixi turned in a first-place finish at the Sea Best Intercollegiate, a second-place finish at the ACC Championship, a third-place ledger at the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate and a tied for third finish at the Charles Schwab Women's Collegiate Invitational.
Malixi, who is currently ranked No. 7 nationally in the latest Scoreboard Powered by clippd rankings, also competed in the Old Barnwell Derby Match Play and went a perfect, 3-0, helping lead the Blue Devils into the championship match. She shot a combined 15-under-par in the three matches during the week.
She is coming off carding an 11-under-par, 205, at the ACC Championship where she finished runner up. At the Sea Best Intercollegiate, Malixi claimed her first collegiate victory in record fashion as she carded a 9-under-par, 63, in the final round and a 54-hole score of 16-under-par, 200. The round of 63 tied for the lowest 18-hole score on a par-72 course in Duke history and the three-day total of 200 was the lowest score in Blue Devil lore. Malixi's 16-under score was tied for the 20th-lowest 54-hole score in relation to par in NCAA history and her 63 was tied for the 21st-lowest 18-hole score as well. She also became just the 15th freshman to shoot a 63 or better in a season.
Duke opens the Ann Arbor Regional May 11-13 at the University of Michigan Golf Course.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's golf, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWGOLF".
#GoDuke
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