From one number one to another, Chiara Tamburlini and Mimi Rhodes are excited to tee up together once again this week as they continue their rivalry at the Tenerife Women’s Open.
Rhodes currently leads the Order of Merit thanks to three emphatic early victories in 2025 – an accolade which Tamburlini secured in 2024 thanks to clinching the same number of wins.
Once college rivals at Wake Forest (Rhodes) and Ole Miss (Tamburlini) respectively, the pair have since been inspired by one another’s professional success. They will tee up together again this week as the LET returns to Tenerife for the first time in a decade.
“Chiara’s year last year was definitely a really strong one,” Rhodes said. “I did want to replicate that because she has always been one of my rivals throughout college as well. I think it has definitely pushed me to keep going with the momentum, instead of just thinking, I’ve got my win and that’s it. Her success has pushed me to believe that I can do it. I want to try and make history this year.”
Rhodes has had a sensational start to Tour life securing victories at the Ford NSW Women’s Open, Joburg Ladies Open and Dutch Ladies Open. Tamburlini has been understandably impressed with the rookie’s performances and is excited to tee up alongside her at Abama Golf.
The Swiss star explained: “We played together last year in Saudi and then again last month at the Jabra Ladies Open. I’m very excited to play with her again, I’ve got to say.
“As I said in Jabra, I know she’s playing really well and she’s obviously up there every week. I want to try and compete against her and I think it’s encouraging to play with players who are really good and who are confident on the golf course. I feel like you can feed off that. It helps with momentum.”
Tamburlini, winner of the 2024 Order of Merit, arrives in Tenerife hot in form after finishing runner-up in Korea and T5 at Evian Resort before securing her best Major result at last week’s U.S. Women’s Open.
“It was really satisfying,” the 25-year-old said, who finished T14 at Erin Hills. “It was such a cool week. I really fell in love with the place. I’m happy to see that I was able to be so high in the leaderboard in one of the most important events of the year. It’s definitely a big confidence boost and shows that I belong there.”
Rhodes meanwhile is looking to extend her lead in the Order of Merit and clinch a fourth victory of the season. Marie-Laure de Lorenzi holds the LET record for season wins with seven in 1988. No rookie has ever had more than four in one year on the circuit.
“I had a few high expectations,” the Englishwoman said. “I wanted to get one win and be up there in the Order of Merit. Nothing too high. I just wanted to enjoy my golf in my first year. But it’s clearly worked really well.”
This week in Tenerife, the two European stars will also tee up alongside Order of Merit number two, Cara Gainer. The trio get underway at Abama Golf at 10:20am local time.
On the challenge, Rhodes, who grew up in Andalucia, Spain, said: “I feel pretty comfortable out here. This is similar to back home. The layout is very similar with tight tee shots and lots of elevation. I’ll have to plot myself around and keep myself in the fairway. It will be interesting.”
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