EVANS, Ga. — Two-time USGA champion Rianne Malixi has withdrawn from the Augusta National Women's Amateur. The 18-year-old walked off of Champions Retreat after playing only four holes in her practice round, telling Golf Channel's Steve Burkowski she was suffering from low back pain.
The Philippines' Malixi, who won the U.S. Women's Amateur and U.S. Girls' Junior last summer, also withdrew from the recent Asia Pacific Women’s Amateur Golf Championship after five holes with back strain. Malixi told Burkowski she has been struggling with low back pain since since age 14 and was limited to hitting only 60 balls this week in practice. She felt it was best to withdraw this week and fully recover rather than risk further injury.
Malixi, the No. 4 player in the world, was making her second appearance in the tournament.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Two-time USGA champion WDs from Augusta National Women's Amateur
