England’s Mimi Rhodes claimed her second Ladies European Tour (LET) title at the Joburg Ladies Open, achieving back-to-back victories in her rookie season. 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 Ireland’s Lauren Walsh who were both in T2.
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.”
Despite hitting it slightly long on the 18th, which nearly saw a playoff on the cards, she was able to keep her cool and still take par.
Commenting on the last hole, she said: “I’d been chipping pretty well all day and the shot just felt very comfortable. I was kind of back and forth on two different shots I was going to play I’m glad I chose the one I did.”
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.
This week, the rookie has been staying with Lily May Humphreys in an Airbnb five minutes away. “It’s been really nice and it was in a gated community close to everything. With the weather delays, we just like popped back and rested between so worked well.”
“I just kept my focus out there and the play just went my way so really happy. Casandra [Alexander] did really well today and kept the pressure on. The nerves were really getting to me in the last couple of holes. We both hit birdies on 17 and walking down 18, I wanted to make sure I just didn’t think ahead,” she continued.
“I never would have imagined, it’s honestly a dream come true and to be playing so well so early in my career. I’m lost for words. It’s just amazing and I can’t wait for the rest of the season. Keep the good golf going. It’s amazing to win in another country and for it to be my second in a row, it’s given me a huge amount of confidence for the rest of the season and my pro career.”
Rhodes who is enjoying travelling and exploring new countries on the Tour, will be flying to Cape Town tonight for next week’s tournament.
Only one-shot back was South Africa’s Casandra Alexander, who only dropped a shot on the 7th, to finish 13-under par. It was a close final day between the home favourite and the rookie, with both keeping each other tested throughout. Alexander has previously won this event, back in 2021 at a different course – Soweto Country Club – and before it was co-sanctioned with the LET.
Rhodes commented: “There was a lot of fans out there cheering for Cas [Alexander]. It was tough to mentally focus with them cheering a lot of her shots, but she played really well. I’m sorry to Joburg!”
Germany’s Helen Briem had a bogey-free final day, and finished in third place on 11-under par. The 19-year-old, who had her Dad on the bag this week, has started her season strong following last year’s successes.
Fellow rookie and Swede Kajsa Arwefjall, and Ireland’s Lauren Walsh finished in a tie for fourth place on 10-under par after 54 holes.
Chiara Tamburlini, who won this event last year, secured nine-under par in T6, alongside South Africa’s Kiera Floyd.
Following just two shots behind was India’s Diksha Dagar and Australia’s Kelsey Bennett, on seven-under par.
The tournament had a revised format and was reduced to 54 holes, announced on Friday, following heavy rainfall and a flooded course.
In the LET Order of Merit, Rhodes now leads the standings following her second win with 1,036.50 points to her name. England’s Cara Gainer is now in second place on 870.18, followed by Belgian’s Manon De Roey on 577.50.
After five tournaments played, the young star leads the Rookie of the Year standings, with Arwefjall in second place, following her strong start to the season.
The LET heads to Cape Town next week for the Investec SA Women’s Open, taking place at Erinvale Country and Golf Estate, 10-13 April.
Follow all the action on our socials – @LETgolf on Instagram, TikTok and X, and Ladies European Tour on YouTube and Facebook.
Available on LET’s website and app, Upgame now has a dedicated page to show strokes gained from each tournament. Players input their stats from each round via Upgame and can be viewed here.
