Augusta, Georgia - As the Joburg Ladies Open resumed this morning, England's Mimi Rhodes shone brightly despite the sporadic showers that have marred the tournament. Delayed by adverse weather, the event restarted at 10am local time, allowing golfers to complete the disrupted second round and setting the stage for an intense final day.
Rhodes, in her debut season, has captivated spectators with her precision and composure, finishing her fragmented round at a stellar 12-under par. Her performance, marked by a seamless array of birdies, positioned her as the frontrunner. "It was challenging to start mid-round, but maintaining my routine helped me stay focused," Rhodes remarked. Her poised approach could see her clinch consecutive victories, following her recent triumph at the Ford Women’s NSW Open in Australia.
Trailing just one shot behind is South Africa’s own Casandra Alexander, who shared her struggles with the unpredictable green speeds, attributing them to the persistent rain. Alexander, eager to secure her first LET win on home soil, remains optimistic, despite the taxing conditions.
Ireland's Lauren Walsh, also vying for her first LET title, started her round today with a robust performance, marked by five birdies, bringing her score to nine-under par. "I'm pleased with my play today; it felt stronger than my first round," said Walsh.
Rookie Kajsa Arwefjall of Sweden, with a commendable front nine featuring five birdies, is also in contention, echoing positive sentiments about her play despite the wet conditions. She remarked, "The rain seems to bring out my best game."
As the final round approaches, the leaderboard is tightly packed, with players like Helen Briem of Germany and Nuria Iturrioz of Spain not far behind. The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to what has been a challenging yet exciting tournament. The final round kicks off early at 7:10 am tomorrow, promising to be a showcase of resilience and skill in the face of adversity.