It’s not often that a rookie season becomes the defining chapter of a golfer’s career, but Mimi Rhodes is making sure hers does. The 23-year-old Briton has been one of the standout stories of the Ladies European Tour (LET) this year, arriving in India for the season-ending event as the Order of Merit leader with three titles already under her belt.
The DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurugram promises an intriguing contest — the defending champion in the mix, the LET’s current No. 1 Chiara Tamburlini of Switzerland, and home favourite Diksha Dagar, who finished third last year. But it’s Rhodes who draws most of the attention, chasing her dream of capping a breakthrough year with the ultimate crown.
‘The Course Is Tough, But I Like It’
Playing in India for the first time, Rhodes is embracing both the challenge and the charm of the new environment.
The course is tough — you have to place yourself pretty well off the tee, the rough is long, but I really like it. Every hole is different. The rain has helped us as players because it’s softened things up. I heard it was really tough last year when it was dry. It’s nice to have shots stopping on the greens now, though it’s still sunny, so the course will definitely change. I just have to make sure I adapt my game.
Despite her lead in the standings, Rhodes insists she is approaching the week with calm focus and curiosity. “This is my first time in India, so it’s been a new adventure and a new culture for me to experience. Everyone’s been really kind. Every hole here is different — it’s a nice challenge. I’m looking forward to playing it and, honestly, to eating some more curry. I like curry… just a little less spicy!”
Balancing Excitement With Focus
For Rhodes, the thrill of visiting a new country is tempered by her determination to finish strong. “Honestly, there’s a lot of excitement — especially playing in a new country — I still have to do the same preparation. I’m making sure I stay focused, get my practice in, and not spend too much time exploring Delhi. It’s about being in the right mindset and ready for the tournament. It’s exciting to be here, to experience something out of my comfort zone, but I know I need to stay grounded.”
A Title Race Wide Open
While Rhodes enjoys her maiden Indian experience, the Order of Merit race is anything but settled. Singapore’s Shannon Tan, winner of the Amundi German Masters, trails by just 209.54 points, while Czech star Sara Kouskova is within 500 points. With four events still remaining, each offering 500 points for a win, the race remains finely poised. Rhodes herself has had a consistent run in recent weeks, with a top-10 and two top-15 finishes in September.
‘I Didn’t Expect To Win Three Titles In My First Year’
Few expected Rhodes to dominate so early in her professional career — least of all herself. “Yeah, definitely surprised to win three in my first year. I could feel a win coming, but I didn’t expect it to happen this soon. I’m just really grateful it’s gone my way so far — hopefully I can stay at the top by the end of the year.” Her success, she says, stems from one key area: confidence with her short game.
I’ve done a lot of short-game practice. I’m not afraid anymore of missing greens, which means I can be aggressive — and I play better when I’m attacking. I’ve worked hard on my putting, so when I’m out there, I know I can hole the putts.
Thriving Under Pressure
Rhodes’ victories haven’t come easily — most were won in tight battles decided on the final holes. She admits that the experience of being chased, rather than doing the chasing, has been eye-opening.
In the past, I preferred chasing the leader, but in my wins, I’ve had to learn how to handle the pressure of leading. It’s been interesting to understand my feelings and emotions under pressure. It’s definitely reassuring to know that I can get it done when it matters.
Back To Her Spanish Roots
One of the biggest shifts in Rhodes’ life has been moving back to Spain — a return to the country where her love for golf first blossomed. “I actually grew up in Spain — I lived there from when I was four until I moved to England. I learned golf there. My grandma was a really good golfer; she never pushed me, it just came naturally. It was fun as a young girl starting something new, even though there weren’t many girls practising seriously back then. It was tough, but having my grandparents’ support helped a lot. Moving back to Spain has been great — it’s a nice base to practise from.”
Inspired By Legends
When asked about her golfing idols, Rhodes doesn’t hesitate. “Annika Sörenstam — I’ve played some of her events, and she’s such a great female role model. Seve Ballesteros was huge when I was growing up in Spain, and Justin Rose is another big inspiration. He’s done so much for women’s golf.”
A Season That Defines A Future
With three titles, a growing fan base, and maturity beyond her years, Mimi Rhodes has already marked herself as one of the brightest young talents in women’s golf. Her calmness under pressure, respect for the game’s traditions, and eagerness to learn make her a name to watch — not just this week in India, but for years to come. “It’s been a special season. I just want to keep learning, stay grounded, and enjoy the process.”
