No fewer than 30 Australians are teeing up at this week’s Ford Women’s NSW Open with Kelsey Bennett and Kirsten Rudgeley leading the charge as their nation’s two highest ranked players in the field.
The latter enjoyed a fine first full season on the Ladies European Tour (LET) in 2025 registering six top-10s en route to a 20th placed finish on the Order of Merit – the best finish of any Australian player on the circuit (Rudgeley placed 21st).
Ending the campaign with a T3 at the Andalucia Costs del Sol Open de España, Bennett has carried her great form into 2026 finishing runner-up at the Vic Open on the WPGA Tour before placing T12 at the season-opening PIF Saudi Ladies International on the LET.
Couple this consistency with the fact Bennett hails from New South Wales, it is no wonder the 26-year-old arrives in Wollongong this week as one of the heavy home favourites – a label she is more than embracing.
“It’s pretty special,” Bennett said. “Obviously it’s good to know I’ve worked as hard as I have to get into that position. It’s a big honour to be able to play this close to home and have friends and family out here. I’m really looking forward to it.
The Australian was born and raised in Mollymook, New South Wales, around 90 minutes from this week’s venue. She will have strong local support and she bids for a maiden LET title.
“My mum, nan and uncle will be out here. My auntie lives just up the road so she’ll be out here as well as a few of the members from my home club.”
“A win would obviously be super special in front of a home crowd. But I just want to go out there and put a few strong rounds together. I’ll stick to my process and keep working on what I’ve been working on with my coach. It’s the little wins where you get your bigger wins.”
Bennett missed the cut at her home event in Wollongong last year as Englishwoman Mimi Rhodes went on to claim the famous trophy.
“I think last year I put a bit too much pressure on myself,” she explains. “So I’m trying to manage that better this year but I know I’ve grown a lot as a person and as a player since then. Hopefully it all works out.
“I’ve surrounded myself with a really strong team which makes a massive difference. I’ve been working super hard with my coach on many different parts of my game and it’s paying off. It was nice to continue my good form into Saudi. It’s such a big event to start the year so I was very happy. Hopefully it continues this week too.”
The Ford Women’s NSW Open is one of four co-sanctioned events on the LET and WPGA Tour schedule this month. Bennett, a one-time winner on the latter, represents both tours and is excited to show Australian golf off to the rest of the world.
“It’s so special to have four LET events in Australia,” she said. “I think about the other girls who are able to go home to Europe throughout the year, so it’s nice for once that home isn’t too far away for me. That side of it is good and hopefully we can showcase some seriously world class golf courses.”
The Ford Women’s NSW Open gets underway on Thursday morning at Wollongong Golf Club. You can watch the final two rounds of action right here on the LET website as well as around the world via your local broadcaster.
