Completed Event: Women's Golf versus NCAA Championship on May 22, 2026 , , 7th in Stroke Play; Quarterfinals of Match Play
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Photo by: Duke Athletics
Malixi Tabbed WGCA National Freshman of the Year
5/27/2026 1:05:00 PM | Women's Golf
DURHAM, N.C. – Duke women's golf standout rookie Rianne Malixi has been named the Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) 2025-26 Division I WGCA Freshman of the Year Presented by StrackaLine.
A native of Manila, Philippines, Malixi turned in one of the top freshman seasons in Duke history. She carded a 70.61 stroke average, one victory, five top-five finishes, 18 rounds of even or under par, 10 rounds in the 60s and seven top-20 finishes in eight tournaments.
During the spring, Malixi shot 40-under-par in six stroke-play events. She was also 4-0 in match play contests as well during the Old Barnwell Derby Match Play and the NCAA Championship. Malixi is coming off carding a 9-under-par, 279, at the NCAA Championship to finish third overall. She totaled rounds of 73, 69, 68 and 69 over the four days. She is just the second Blue Devil to notch three straight rounds in the 60s at the NCAA Championship.
Malixi's 70.61 stroke average on the year was the second-lowest in Duke history and a Blue Devil freshman record. She collected 121 birdies to tie Leona Maguire's record from the 2017-18 campaign. Malixi's 18 rounds of even or under par ranked tied for fourth on the Duke freshman record charts. Her 10 rounds in the 60s tied for the second-most in Blue Devil lore.
She becomes the fifth Duke golfer under head coach Dan Brooks to be named WGCA National Freshman of the Year – Beth Bauer (1998-99), Brittany Lang (2003-04), Amanda Blumenherst (2005-06) and Leona Maguire (2014-15).
The WGCA Freshman of the Year Presented by StrackaLine is awarded annually to the top freshman in Division I women's golf. Freshmen must have competed in a minimum of 15 competitive rounds to be considered.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's golf, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWGOLF".
#GoDuke
A native of Manila, Philippines, Malixi turned in one of the top freshman seasons in Duke history. She carded a 70.61 stroke average, one victory, five top-five finishes, 18 rounds of even or under par, 10 rounds in the 60s and seven top-20 finishes in eight tournaments.
During the spring, Malixi shot 40-under-par in six stroke-play events. She was also 4-0 in match play contests as well during the Old Barnwell Derby Match Play and the NCAA Championship. Malixi is coming off carding a 9-under-par, 279, at the NCAA Championship to finish third overall. She totaled rounds of 73, 69, 68 and 69 over the four days. She is just the second Blue Devil to notch three straight rounds in the 60s at the NCAA Championship.
Malixi's 70.61 stroke average on the year was the second-lowest in Duke history and a Blue Devil freshman record. She collected 121 birdies to tie Leona Maguire's record from the 2017-18 campaign. Malixi's 18 rounds of even or under par ranked tied for fourth on the Duke freshman record charts. Her 10 rounds in the 60s tied for the second-most in Blue Devil lore.
She becomes the fifth Duke golfer under head coach Dan Brooks to be named WGCA National Freshman of the Year – Beth Bauer (1998-99), Brittany Lang (2003-04), Amanda Blumenherst (2005-06) and Leona Maguire (2014-15).
The WGCA Freshman of the Year Presented by StrackaLine is awarded annually to the top freshman in Division I women's golf. Freshmen must have competed in a minimum of 15 competitive rounds to be considered.
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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