Mimi Rhodes, the rising woman golf star, is in town

Gurugram: Going by the way she has begun her career, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that Gurgaon-vaasis or the residents of Gurugram will be witnessing a future golf star at the DLF Golf and Country Club during the Hero Women’s Indian Open.

Mimi Rhodes has started her professional career with a bang.

She turned pro in 2024 and since then she has scooped three titles – Women’s New South Wales Open, Joburg Ladies Open and Dutch Ladies Open. The three titles, which came this year between March and May, and two other top 10 finishes have catapulted her to the leader’s position in the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit.

The 23-year-old will be the top draw when the tournament gets underway from October 9.

“My grandmother was a great golfer. Single handicap golf. She actually had two holes-in-one in one round of golf so she was a great inspiration to me and my sister when we first started when we were first seven years old. She would pick us from boarding school and take us to the golf course. It was a nice break from school,” said Mimi to www.thedelhijunction.com after the launch press conference.

Mimi Rhodes has won three titles this year. (LET Photo)

Mimi, who was born in England but moved to Spain when she was four before returning to boarding school in England when she turned 13 and moving to USA for university at 18, got serious about golf at the age of 10.

“I was playing both tennis and golf at the age of 10. I had to pick one sport and I decided to take up golf seriously,” she said.  

She was at the University till last year when she turned pro and moved back to Spain where she has a couple of her idols.

“Justin Rose (England) is a big one. He's doing a lot for women's golf professionally. Then, Annika Sorenstam (Sweden), I used to play in some of her events. She's a great female golf role model. Carlota Ciganda, the Spanish golfer. And Seve Ballesteros, he used to be a really big name when I grew up in Spain,” said Mimi about her idols.

The DLF Golf and Country Club course is among the toughest in the country and will add to pressure. But Mimi is used to it.  All her three wins on the Ladies European Tour have been close.

WATCH | Mimi Rhodes talks about grandmother's influence on her golf

“In the past I preferred chasing the leader. But in my wins I've been the one ahead. So it's been interesting to make those changes and understand my feelings and emotions throughout under pressure. But it definitely feels rewarding to know that I can get it done under pressure,” added Mimi.

Rain may have made Gurgaon messy but it has helped settle the greens for the golfers.

“The course is tough, you have to place yourself really well off the tee. The rough is long, but I really like it. The layout is really interesting, every hole is different. You have to think about your shot off the tee,” she said.

Mimi turned professional in 2024.              (LET Photo)

“The rain has helped us as players because I heard the course was really tough last year and it was dry. So it's nice to have shots stopping on the greens. But yeah, it's supposed to be sunny so the course will definitely change. So I just have to make sure I adapt my game.”

Mimi wasn’t expecting that she will win three tournaments so early in her career.

“Definitely a surprise to win three titles in my first year. I could feel a win coming, but I definitely didn't expect this first year. But I'm very grateful it's gone my way so far and hopefully I can stay at the top at the end of the year.”

There has been a lot of focus on putting in recent times.

“A lot of short game practice. I have realised that I am not afraid anymore of missing any greens. So I can attack and be aggressive, which I play better when I am. I've worked really hard on my putting. I know when I am out there I can hold the putts.”

The 23-year-old took up golf when she was 10. (LET Photo) 

Tags : Mimi Rhodes, Golf, Ladies European Tour, Joburg Open, Gurugram, Hero Women's Indian Open