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.
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.
As others failed to make the birdies drop elsewhere, drama unfolded on the par-3 17th when Fanali carded a fantastic birdie to move to within one.
Then, a nightmare for the Italian as Fanali pulled her tee shot on the closing par-5 18th forcing her to take a penalty drop. Having hit the fairway, Rhodes was able to play safely up to the green before two-putting for the two shot victory.
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. The victory also comes one year after Rhodes won the Lavaux Ladies Open.
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.”
Home favourite Rudgeley birdied the par-5 18th to card a round of 68 (-3) and share second spot with Fanali on 15-under par.
Czech Republic’s Sara Kouskova ended the week in solo fourth on 14-under par.
Switzerland’s Kim Metraux hit the shot of the day making a hole-in-one on the par-3 10th. A final day 69 (-2) helped her finish fifth alongside Sweden’s Moa Folke as well as Spanish duo Nuria Iturrioz and Blanca Fernandez.
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.
