Kirsten Rudgeley produced her best-ever result on the Ladies European Tour (LET) last week after finishing in second place at the Lacoste Ladies Open de France.
The Australian ended the week in a share of first place alongside Switzerland’s Chiara Tamburlini who eventually won in playoff.
However, Rudgeley – who is in her second year on Tour – really enjoyed the final around and being in contention.
“It was a good experience actually, it was the first time I had it as a professional,” she said. “I enjoyed it, I didn’t feel any nerves at all. I just wanted to go out there and make birdies and take it all in.
“I think I’m doing the right things now. Before I’d come to a tournament and not know what I’m doing prep-wise, whereas now I’m going through all the things that I need to do.
“I’m not doing any more, not doing any less. It seems to be working and we’ll keep going. It’s just the things you need to do. There’s no point doing stuff you shouldn’t be doing, you’re out here long enough as it is.”
This week sees the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF – Shenzhen taking place on the World Cup Course at Mission Hills China.
There will be two competitions taking place alongside one another with the 36-hole Team competition and the 54-hole Individual competition.
It is the first time Rudgeley has ever played in mainland China and as a team captain, she was able to join fellow Australian Kelsey Bennett to be in her team.
The Australian duo will also be joined by Thailand’s Sherman Santiwiwatthanaphong and amateur Johnny Ka Keung Wong with the quartet teeing it up at 8.27 am (local time) in the first round.
She continued: “It will be good fun with Kelsey [Bennett]. Me and her have been mates for years, we will probably just give each other stick all day and even Rod her caddie, he is good.
“It will be a fun week. I will enjoy it. It will be nice for her, it’s her first one. Try to get her involved and enjoy it. I have played a lot of golf with Kelsey, I’ve done a lot of team stuff with her. She’s a great golfer. When she’s on, she’s on. It will be good fun, and I hope she enjoys it.
“I think the golf course is really nice. It’s your typical Asian set up. I do really like it, we will see what happens. Score wise, I have no idea!
“I couldn’t say if it’s going to be low or going to be high. We will just have to see, go out there and play golf and make some birdies. I have never played in China; I have played in Singapore and Thailand with amateur competitions.”
The Aramco Team Series presented by PIF – Shenzhen takes place on the World Cup Course at Mission Hills China from 4-6 October.
Follow all the action throughout the tournament on our socials – @LETgolf on Instagram, TikTok and X, and Ladies European Tour on YouTube and Facebook – #RaiseOurGame #SEETheImpact.
