One year on from coming mightily close to winning the Ford Women’s NSW Open in Australia, a relaxed but motivated Alessandra Fanali is now seeking “redemption” as she returns to Wollongong Golf Club.
The Italian played some of her best golf to date at this event in 2025 carding rounds of 69-66-64-70 to finish two shots behind winner Mimi Rhodes. The final round scorecard included a bogey at the par-5 18th as Fanali hit it out of bounds off the tee while trailing Rhodes by one shot.
Back in Wollongong 12 months later, the Olympian is now motivated to put her close call behind her and secure that elusive maiden LET victory.
“It feels good to be back,” Fanali said. “It’s very chill and this course is very playable in any condition which is good as it’s supposed to be wet and windy tomorrow. Honestly, I feel very relaxed this week. Usually I’m not this relaxed at a tournament. I know I’m playing consistent so I don’t have to worry about that.”
“I do have a little bit of like, feeling like I want redemption. I know this course and I know I can go low again. I saw yesterday a post from the LET saying that Mimi Rhodes has the course record 62. So I’m thinking I can go out and shoot 61. It’s very doable. It’s funny that my photo is also all over the clubhouse.
“I’ll go out there and just try to play good golf. I love it in Australia so it’s the first time I’ll be playing four events in a row.”
Fanali hit the opening tee shot of the 2026 season at the PIF Saudi Ladies International en route to finishing T39 in Riyadh. As for the season ahead, her main objective remains clear.
“The win is still the number one goal,” the 26-year-old said, who also finished runner-up at the 2024 Magical Kenya Ladies Open. “Qualifying for the Majors is the second goal.
“Although I’ve now played three years on tour, I still haven’t had that win yet so it still feels like it did in my first year and a half. In my mind, I’ve been trying to achieve that goal for three years. I know a lot of places and a lot of courses now, how to practice more efficiently, so that for sure helps.
“I felt good out on the course in Riyadh. The putts just wouldn’t drop. Swing wise, I changed a little bit during the off-season, trying to get back to where I was at the beginning of 2025 with my iron game.”
Fanali gets her redemption story underway on Thursday at 08:45 local time playing alongside Trichat Cheenglab and Annabell Fuller.
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