FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (June 24, 2022) – Rising junior
Ekaterina Malakhova rose back to the top at the Russian Amateur Championship, posting her fourth career win at the tournament on Friday with a four-round score of 1-over par 289 (76-71-69-73). This year's Russian Amateur Championship follows her previous wins in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
In her first tournament of the summer back in her home country following a sensational second collegiate season, Malakhova captured a four-stroke victory after carding a final round 1-over par 73.
The 2022 Big Sky Individual Medalist opened the championship with a 4-over par 76, which placed her in a tie for fourth. Malakhova followed though with consecutive under-par rounds of 71 and 69 to move in the leader position heading into the fourth round where she held on for the win.
Malakhova totaled 10 birdies across the four rounds, including four during her 3-under par 69 third round.
NAU was actually well-represented at the Russian Amateur Championships, placing three golfers in the top five overall with graduate student
Aleksandra Chekalina and incoming freshman Nina Lukyanenko tying for third and fifth respectively.
Chekalina played steady throughout carding three rounds of 2-over par 74 with an even-par 72 sandwiched in between in the second round. Meanwhile, Lukyanenko navigated her way through a tough first and fourth rounds, but shined in the two middle rounds. Lukyanenko went 1-under par 71 in the second and 2-over par 74 in the third, showcasing her promise ranked No. 569 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
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