England’s Mimi Rhodes has made headlines by securing her first Ladies European Tour title at the Ford Women’s NSW Open, achieving this remarkable feat just four events into her full-time career. The 23-year-old golfer from Somerset delivered a stellar performance, completing a bogey-free round of 69 to finish the tournament at 17-under par in Wollongong, Australia.
Rhodes previously set a course record with a phenomenal nine-under 62 that included 10 birdies, further highlighting her exceptional talent. This victory adds to her impressive list of amateur achievements, such as the Curtis Cup and NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championship, propelling her to third place on the LET Order of Merit.
In a statement reflecting her surprise and joy at the win, Rhodes expressed, “I’m honestly still in shock, but I’m so happy. I’ve worked really hard for this. I had a difficult week last week, I went through a swing change, and it obviously worked! I’m just really happy.”
Following her victory, Rhodes plans to celebrate with family and friends in Sydney, possibly with a champagne toast. The tournament also featured notable performances, including Italy’s Alessandra Fanali and Australia’s Kirsten Rudgeley sharing second place at 15 under par, while Switzerland’s Kim Metraux achieved a hole-in-one on the tenth hole, finishing in a tie for fifth.
As the Ladies European Tour takes a brief hiatus, the excitement will continue with the season resuming in South Africa for the Joburg Ladies Open starting April 3.
