TULSA, Okla. — Déjà vu, anyone?
Twenty-one days ago in California, Rianne Malixi beat Asterisk Talley in the 36-hole final of the 2024 U.S. Girls’ Junior. Now, at Southern Hills Country Club, the two will battle it out once again in a historic feat.
Malixi and Talley advanced to the championship match of the 2024 U.S. Women’s Amateur, which will begin Saturday afternoon at 2:10 p.m. ET and continue Sunday, tentatively scheduled for 2 p.m. ET. The first 18 holes were moved to Saturday because of anticipated weather Sunday in the Tulsa area, meaning there will be a rare break between play Saturday night.
It is believed to be the first time in USGA history the championship match of the U.S. Women’s Amateur will begin on Saturday. It’s also the first time in 70 years the final match will be contested over two days.
U.S. Women’s Amateur: Photos from Southern Hills
That’s not the only historic moment. Malixi and Talley are the first pair in USGA history to face off in the finals of the U.S. Girls’ Junior and U.S. Women’s Amateur. Not just in a calendar year, ever. There has never been a repeat championship match in the U.S. Women’s Amateur from a duo that made the championship in the U.S. Girls’ Junior, too.
Talley, 15, won her match by concession after medalist Maria Jose Marin injured herself and was unable to continue on the 15th hole facing a 1 down deficit. For Talley, the 2024 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball champion, the win moves her to 15-1 in USGA match play events in 2024.
Rianne Malixi!! Birdies 18 to advance to the championship match.
First time in USGA history that there will be the same championship match in the U.S. Girls’ Junior and U.S. Women’s Amateur ever, let alone the same year. History at Southern Hills pic.twitter.com/mZEsQdbCz1
— Cameron Jourdan (@Cam_Jourdan) August 10, 2024
Malixi, a Duke commit, is now 11-0 in USGA match play events, and she’s on the verge of becoming the second player ever to win the U.S. Girls’ Junior and the U.S. Women’s Amateur in the same year. She topped rising Arkansas senior Kendall Todd 1 up after birdies to win the 17th and 18th holes.
Now, a historic final is on tap at Southern Hills.