Rianne Malixi wasted little time announcing herself on the collegiate stage.
The Duke freshman captured her first individual college crown in record-setting fashion after a blistering final-round performance at the Sea Best Intercollegiate, held at the par-72 San Jose Country Club in Jacksonville, Florida.
Malixi closed the tournament with a 9-under-par 63, finishing with a 54-hole total of 16-under 200 to win by two strokes and headline Duke’s strong opening to the 2026 spring season.
Her final-round 63 tied for the lowest 18-hole score on a par-72 course in Duke history, while her three-day total of 200 established a new program record.
The performance also placed Malixi in rare company nationally, as her 16-under aggregate tied for the 20th lowest 54-hole score in relation to par in NCAA history.
She became just the 15th freshman ever to shoot a 63 or better in NCAA competition.
Malixi delivered her masterpiece with a back-nine surge.
After reaching the turn at 2-under, she birdied the first five holes on the inward nine and poured in birdies on three of her final four holes to seal the win.
She hit 11 fairways, found 16 greens in regulation, and needed just 25 putts, with her 7-under 29 on the back nine setting a Duke record.
The victory marked Malixi’s first collegiate top-10 finish and her first individual title, along with Duke freshman records for lowest single-round score and lowest 54-hole total.
“I played really well this week. I’ll credit that to my exceptional iron play and consistency off the tee,” Malixi said. “Although I have been uncomfortable with my putting, I somehow made this work. I’m very grateful for Coach (Dan) Brooks and Coach (Jon) Whithaus for their insights and the whole team for making this so special for my first collegiate win. Go Duke!”
Malixi’s historic run powered Duke to a second-place team finish at 27-under 837, just one stroke behind champion Florida.
The Blue Devils placed five golfers inside the top eight of the individual standings, a feat the program had not achieved since 2017.
Head coach Dan Brooks praised both Malixi’s breakout moment and the team’s overall performance.
“Hats off to Rianne for her first college win,” Brooks said. “After the practice round, she said she thought the course was get-able. She got it!”
With her first collegiate trophy secured, Malixi and the rest of the Blue Devils now turn their focus to the Moon Golf Invitational from Feb. 15–17 in Melbourne, Florida.
