Photo: Tristan Jones\/ LET<\/p>\n
England\u2019s Mimi Rhodes claimed her second Ladies European Tour (LET) title at the Joburg Ladies Open, achieving back-to-back victories in her rookie season. This remarkable feat marks a significant milestone for the 23-year-old, setting an impressive tone for the 2025 season, after her recent triumph at the Ford Women\u2019s NSW Open in Australia just weeks earlier.<\/strong><\/p>\n Leading by three shots heading into the final round, Rhodes started the day ahead of South Africa\u2019s Casandra Alexander and Ireland\u2019s Lauren Walsh who were both in T2.<\/p>\n The rising star produced a composed final day at Modderfontein Golf Club, carding three birdies, and posting a round of 71 (-2) to end the week on 14-under par. Despite weather conditions being tough this week due to heavy rainfall, the 23-year-old has shown great composure the whole week.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s honestly not sunk in yet, I\u2019m still in shock,\u201d said the two-time LET winner. \u201cI\u2019m really on a high and lost for words. I\u2019ve been working so hard for this moment. I can\u2019t thank anyone enough, family and friends back home, all my coaches around the world \u2013 I\u2019ve got a lot of them! Also my caddie for being with me on the golf course and helping me through to get to this moment.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite hitting it slightly long on the 18th<\/sup>, which nearly saw a playoff on the cards, she was able to keep her cool and still take par.<\/p>\n Commenting on the last hole, she said: \u201cI’d been chipping pretty well all day and the shot just felt very comfortable. I was kind of back and forth on two different shots I was going to play I’m glad I chose the one I did.\u201d<\/p>\n Rhodes follows in the footsteps of Linn Grant where the Swede also had two wins on the bounce in her rookie year. In 2022, Grant claimed both the Mithra Belgian Ladies Open and the Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed. The 25-year-old also won the Joburg Ladies Open in the same year which was her first start on the LET.<\/p>\n This week, the rookie has been staying with Lily May Humphreys in an Airbnb five minutes away. \u201cIt\u2019s been really nice and it was in a gated community close to everything. \u00a0With the weather delays, we just like popped back and rested between so worked well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI just kept my focus out there and the play just went my way so really happy. Casandra [Alexander] did really well today and kept the pressure on. The nerves were really getting to me in the last couple of holes. We both hit birdies on 17 and walking down 18, I wanted to make sure I just didn\u2019t think ahead,\u201d she continued.<\/p>\n \u201cI never would have imagined, it\u2019s honestly a dream come true and to be playing so well so early in my career. I\u2019m lost for words. It\u2019s just amazing and I can\u2019t wait for the rest of the season. Keep the good golf going. It\u2019s amazing to win in another country and for it to be my second in a row, it’s given me a huge amount of confidence for the rest of the season and my pro career.\u201d<\/p>\n Rhodes who is enjoying travelling and exploring new countries on the Tour, will be flying to Cape Town tonight for next week\u2019s tournament.<\/p>\n Only one-shot back was South Africa\u2019s Casandra Alexander, who only dropped a shot on the 7th<\/sup>, to finish 13-under par. It was a close final day between the home favourite and the rookie, with both keeping each other tested throughout. Alexander has previously won this event, back in 2021 at a different course \u2013 Soweto Country Club \u2013 and before it was co-sanctioned with the LET.<\/p>\n Rhodes commented: \u201cThere was a lot of fans out there cheering for Cas [Alexander]. It was tough to mentally focus with them cheering a lot of her shots, but she played really well. I\u2019m sorry to Joburg!\u201d<\/p>\n Germany\u2019s Helen Briem had a bogey-free final day, and finished in third place on 11-under par. The 19-year-old, who had her Dad on the bag this week, has started her season strong following last year\u2019s successes.<\/p>\n Fellow rookie and Swede Kajsa Arwefjall, and Ireland\u2019s Lauren Walsh finished in a tie for fourth place on 10-under par after 54 holes.<\/p>\n