Mimi Rhodes captured the Ford Women’s NSW Open with a flawless performance on the final day at Wollongong Golf Club, winning by two shots to claim her first Ladies European Tour (LET) title.
The 23-year-old rookie closed Sunday without a bogey, shooting a 69 (-2) to finish the week at 17-under par. Leading by one shot heading into the final round, Rhodes overcame Alessandra Fanali and Australian Kirsten Rudgeley to claim the trophy. The decisive moment came on the final hole, where Fanali was forced to declare the ball unplayable after an incorrect tee shot, paving the way for Rhodes to win.
Mimi Rhodes, statements
“I’m still in shock,” Rhodes said. “But I’m so happy. I’ve worked hard for this. Last week was tough, I changed my swing and it worked! I’m really happy. I was comfortable on the front nine, but when it got tight I felt pressure. I just kept breathing and kept focused. It’s tough in those situations, but I’m happy I did it.”
On a tense final day, Rhodes, playing her fourth match as a LET member, showed surprising maturity, recording 14 consecutive pars after birdies on the 2nd and 4th. This was two days after she set a course record with a 62 (-9) at Wollongong Golf Club.
While birdies were scarce on the Englishman’s score, the turning point came on the 17th, where Alessandra Fanali made a fantastic birdie to move to within one shot of the lead. But the Italian’s dream was shattered on the 18th: a bad tee shot forced her to drop the ball with a one-stroke penalty. Rhodes, instead, hit the fairway and played safely to the green, closing with two putts for the victory by two shots of margin.
The 23-year-old adds this first LET title to a rich amateur palmarès that includes a Curtis Cup, the US Kids European Championship, the Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship and the NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championship. The victory comes exactly one year after the success at the Lavaux Ladies Open.
Australian Kirsten Rudgeley, the home favorite, closed with a birdie on the 18th, signing a 68 (-3) and sharing the second place with Fanali at 15 under par. Czech Sara Kouskova finished fourth alone at 14 under par.
The shot of the day was notable: Swiss Kim Metraux made a hole-in-one on the par-3 10th. With a final 69 (-2), she finished fifth along with Sweden’s Moa Folke and Spain’s Nuria Iturrioz and Blanca Fernandez.
Anna Zanusso closed the tournament in 22nd place with a total of 5 shots under par.
Now the LET stars are taking a week off before flying to South Africa for the Joburg Ladies Open and the Investec SA Women’s Open.
Tennis World USA