Lauren Walsh recorded her highest finish of the season as England’s Mimi Rhodes claimed her second Ladies European Tour title at the Joburg Ladies Open, achieving back-to-back victories in her rookie season.
Tied for second coming into the final round, Walsh trailed Rhodes by three but despite opening with a birdie, could only turn at level-par after trading two bogeys with a further birdie and couldn’t close the gap as she reeled off eight straight pars before finally getting back on the birdie trail at the last.
She’ll be a little disappointed at failing to mount a serious challenge and leaving considerable cash on the table as an additional stroke or two shaved would’ve carried significant financial benefits, but it sets her up nicely for the final event of the South African swing before the LET returns to Europe in May.
Sara Byrne, the only other Irish woman to make the cut, closed out strongly with a bogey-free, four-under 69 to share 11th place.
But it was all about Rhodes, and this remarkable feat marks a significant milestone for the 23-year-old, setting an impressive tone for the 2025 season, after her recent triumph at the Ford Women’s NSW Open in Australia just weeks earlier.
Leading by three shots heading into the final round, Rhodes started the day ahead of South Africa’s Casandra Alexander and Walsh.
The rising star produced a composed final day at Modderfontein Golf Club, carding three birdies, and posting a round of 71 (-2) to end the week on 14-under par. Despite weather conditions being tough this week due to heavy rainfall, the 23-year-old has shown great composure the whole week.
“It’s honestly not sunk in yet, I’m still in shock,” said the two-time LET winner. “I’m really on a high and lost for words. I’ve been working so hard for this moment. I can’t thank anyone enough, family and friends back home, all my coaches around the world – I’ve got a lot of them! Also my caddie for being with me on the golf course and helping me through to get to this moment.”
Rhodes follows in the footsteps of Linn Grant where the Swede also had two wins on the bounce in her rookie year. In 2022, Grant claimed both the Mithra Belgian Ladies Open and the Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed. The 25-year-old also won the Joburg Ladies Open in the same year which was her first start on the LET.
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