Filipina golfer Rianne Malixi. File photo
Teenager Rianne Malixi is in the mix for a medal in women's golf in the 2026 Asian Games after carding a four-under 66 in the second round on Thursday at the Kasugai Country Club East Course.
Malixi, 19, is currently in solo fifth with a two-round total of 136 — three strokes behind South Korea's Yang Yunseo and China's Yin Ruoning who share third and fourth.
Shannon Tan of Singapore has shot a 13-under 127 in the first two rounds to take the top spot, while India's Pranavi Sharath Urs is two strokes behind.
Malixi, who plays for Duke University in the US NCAA, had started the day tied for 14th but three straight birdies from the 13th hole put her back in contention.
A bogey at No. 18 temporarily stalled Malixi but birdies at No. 3 and 9 allowed her to stay on track.
It was not all good news for Team Philippines, as veterans Pauline del Rosario and Bianca Pagdanganan struggled in the second round.
Pagdanganan, a former Asian Games bronze medalist, faltered after a strong round one with bogeys at No. 11, 12 and 14, finishing with a 74 for the round that put her in joint 16th place with a two-round total of 141.
Del Rosario dropped to joint 33rd, as she was undone by double bogeys at No. 5 and 12 for a total of 151 over two rounds.
China still leads the women's team event with a 12-under 268, while the Philippines is tied with Thailand for seventh place with a four-under 276 after two rounds.
In the men's division, Justin Michael de los Santos is leading the charge for the Philippines.
He carded a 5-under 67 in round two, good for ninth place and three strokes off joint third-placers Higa Kazuki and Nakajima Keita of Japan.
The pivotal third round is set on Friday.