Upcoming Event: Women's Golf versus NCAA Regional Championship on May 11, 2026
Women's Golf
vs NCAA Regional Championship
Photo by: Andy Mead
Malixi Earns WGCA Freshman of the Year Watch List Accolades
5/8/2026 2:02:00 PM | Women's Golf
DURHAM, N.C. – Duke women's golf rookie Rianne Malixi has been named one of three watch list selections for the Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) 2025-26 Division I Freshman of the Year, as announced Friday by the organization.
Freshmen must have competed in a minimum of 15 competitive rounds to be considered. Along with Malixi on the list are Kylee Choi (Pepperdine) and Madison Messimer (Tennessee).
Malixi, a product of Manila, Philippines, is the highest ranked freshman nationally in the Scoreboard Powered by clippd rankings as she comes in at No. 7 overall. Earlier this week, Malixi was tabbed one of 12 watch list selections for the WGCA Division I Ping Player of the Year. Of the 12 honorees, she was the only freshman on the ledger.
Over the past four tournaments entering the NCAA Regionals, Malixi has been impressive in turning in a 68.67 stroke average along with seven rounds in the 60s. She has shot a combined 31-under-par in those four events and secured her first collegiate victory at the Sea Best Intercollegiate. Malixi has also carded 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's 31-under-par score so far this spring is the second-lowest score in Duke history behind Amanda Blumenherst's 33-under-par. Malixi recently collected a school-record 45-hole stretch of bogey-free play at the ACC Championship.
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
Freshmen must have competed in a minimum of 15 competitive rounds to be considered. Along with Malixi on the list are Kylee Choi (Pepperdine) and Madison Messimer (Tennessee).
Malixi, a product of Manila, Philippines, is the highest ranked freshman nationally in the Scoreboard Powered by clippd rankings as she comes in at No. 7 overall. Earlier this week, Malixi was tabbed one of 12 watch list selections for the WGCA Division I Ping Player of the Year. Of the 12 honorees, she was the only freshman on the ledger.
Over the past four tournaments entering the NCAA Regionals, Malixi has been impressive in turning in a 68.67 stroke average along with seven rounds in the 60s. She has shot a combined 31-under-par in those four events and secured her first collegiate victory at the Sea Best Intercollegiate. Malixi has also carded 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's 31-under-par score so far this spring is the second-lowest score in Duke history behind Amanda Blumenherst's 33-under-par. Malixi recently collected a school-record 45-hole stretch of bogey-free play at the ACC Championship.
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
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
Andie Smith, Duke | Interview | CGN
Thursday, November 13
Karcher-Ingram Golf Center Facility Tour
Friday, October 03
Anna Grzebien: Duke Hall of Famer
Saturday, November 02
Duke Athletics: A Tour of Campus
Saturday, October 19
