Mimi Rhodes produced a composed final day display at Wollongong Golf Club to win the Ford Women’s NSW Open by two shots and earn a maiden Ladies European Tour (LET) victory, six months after her LETAS victory in Switzerland.
The 23-year-old rookie went bogey-free on Sunday carding a round of 69 (-2) to end the week on 17-under par.
Leading by one heading into the final round, she pipped Italy’s Alessandra Fanali and Australia’s Kirsten Rudgeley to the trophy after the former was forced to take a drop on the closing par-5 18th.
“I’m honestly still in shock,” Rhodes said. “But I’m so happy. I’ve worked really hard for this. I had a difficult week last week [missing the cut in Coffs Harbour], I went through a swing change and it obviously worked! I’m just really happy.”
“I was fine on the front nine but when it started to get tight I got a bit stressed. I kept breathing and tried to remain focused. It’s difficult in those situations but I’m just really glad I got it done.”
On a tense final day, Rhodes – competing in only her fourth event as a full LET member – showed maturity way beyond her years carding 14 straight pars after birdies at the 2nd and 4th. This came two days after she fired the course record 62 (-9) at Wollongong Golf Club.
Last season, Rhodes competed on LETAS and made her professional debut at the Rose Ladies Open, impressively finishing in the top five.
Two tournaments later, the Englishwoman earned her first professional victory at the Lavaux Ladies Open where she defeated compatriot Billie-Jo Smith in a tense three hole play-off.
The 23-year-old adds the maiden LET title to her impressive catalogue of amateur wins – a resume which includes a Curtis Cup, US Kids European Championship, Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship and NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championship.
Rhodes finished ninth on the LETAS Order of Merit after seven events, one spot away from earning an automatic LET card and had to head to Q School to earn her playing rights.
Rhodes said: “To celebrate I’m spending the night with family and friends in Sydney. Maybe we’ll have some champagne! They don’t really drink but I’ll definitely be drinking. Then I have my flight home tomorrow.”
In the LET Order of Merit, Rhodes collects 500 points and jumps into third position on 536.50 points. England’s Cara Gainer remains in top spot on 870.18 points. Belgium’s Manon De Roey is in second on 577.50 points having fired a final round 65 (-6) in Australia to finish T9. The result comes a week after she won the Australian Women’s Classic at Coffs Harbour.
The LETAS 2025 season gets underway next week at the Terre Blanche Ladies Open.
For more information on the LET Access Series, visit letaccess.com and follow @LETAccess on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – #Access2LET.
