The race between Shannon Tan and Mimi Rhodes to win the Ladies European Tour (LET) Order of Merit has lived up to the billing at the season-finale in Spain with both stars matching one another’s scores across the first three days of action.
With Rhodes needing to finish at least third or higher in the final event of 2025, the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España presented by Oysho, the Englishwoman has gone toe-to-toe with her Singaporean rival posting the same scorecard in the opening three rounds.
Locked on eight-under par in a tie for sixth after 54 holes, it means the pair will play together again on Sunday as they go in pursuit of Trichat Cheenglab at the top of leaderboard, currently leading the way on 15-under par.
“It’s been fun playing with Shannon,” Rhodes said, who has recovered phenomenally after carding a quadruple-bogey on day one. “There’s been a sense of match play and it’s meant we’ve both had a lot of birdies. I think the nerves got to us a little today and I’m sure they will tomorrow. But we’ve both played well and I think we should be proud.”
With Cheenglab leading the way, both stars got off to hot starts on Saturday going out in 33 (-3) to climb up the leaderboard. Unfortunately, dropped shots by each saw them both post 37s (+1) on the back nine leaving them seven shots back heading into the fourth and final round.
“I would say it’s a coincidence that we shot the same score again, three days in a row,” Tan said. “I’ve tried to go into this event the same as every other. I’ll do my best tomorrow. That’s all I can do, control only what I can control.
“It’s been steady for me in terms of ball-striking. I got off to a great start today but then had two three-putts. I just need to stick to the game plan. It was a really colourful scorecard on the first day too. It was just putting.”
With the Order of Merit still in balance, and following a stressful finale, the pair will tee up together at 10:28am on Sunday alongside Dorthea Forbrigd from Norway.
Can Rhodes go low and soar up into third place, Tan will need to finish in 44th place or better to win the Order of Merit. If Rhodes finishes in solo second place, Tan would have to finish in sixth place or better to win the season-long accolade. If Rhodes wins in Malaga, Tan would need to finish in solo second to claim the trophy.
Having already picked up the Rookie of the Year accolade, Rhodes insists her focus is solely on enjoying the final round of a successful 2025 season.
“Honestly, I have no thoughts about the Order of Merit,” the 23-year-old said. “I think me and Shannon are probably going to play again tomorrow. I think it’s both getting into our heads a little bit and it’s kind of ruining the last competition of the year.
“I’m just going to start fresh tomorrow and think of it as the last round of the year. I’ve had a really good year so I’ll look to finish it on a positive note.”
Follow all the action throughout the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España presented by Oysho on our socials – @LETgolf on Instagram, TikTok and X, and Ladies European Tour on YouTube and Facebook – #OpenDeEspaña
