Rhodes leads Joburg Ladies Open, SA’s Alexander chases

Stimpmeter · April 3, 2025, 5:45pm

England’s Mimi Rhodes brought her winning form to Johannesburg as she claimed the clubhouse lead in Thursday’s first round of the Joburg Ladies Open at Modderfontein Golf Club, with South Africa’s Casandra Alexander just one shot behind her. MICHAEL VLISMAS reports.

A heavy afternoon downpour forced the suspension of the round because of a waterlogged course and it will be completed on Friday morning.

Rhodes won last week’s Ford Women’s NSW Open in Australia for her maiden victory on the Ladies European Tour.

She looked equally at home at Modderfontein Golf Club on Thursday as she opened with a bogey-free eight-under 65 in this Sunshine Ladies Tour and Ladies European Tour co-sanctioned tournament.

“It was just really solid overall,” said Rhodes. “I think the secret to this golf course is placing yourself well on the fairway to give you chances with approaches into the greens.

“I had a lot of putts inside 10 feet that I holed, and I still think I left some out there. But it’s early days still so I’m just trying to stay in my own bubble on the golf course.”

There’s no doubt the English professional is still feeding of the confidence of her win in Australia last week.

“That win really boosted my confidence, especially with my putting. I’m in a really good head space now. The putts just seemed to roll in today, but I’m not going to get ahead of myself.”

As her nearest challenger and the leading South African in the field, Alexander was very satisfied with her 66 to start this tournament.

“It felt good,” she said. “I actually didn’t sleep that well. My dog kept me up all night, so maybe that’s the game plan for the second round as well.

“Sometimes you walk off the golf course and feel like you made a couple of birdies but didn’t hit it so great. But today I hit it well and put myself in the right positions. It wasn’t my A game, but it was still my B plus game. I rolled the putter nicely.”

Alexander has been incredibly consistent this season and hasn’t finished outside the top five in her last five tournaments on the Sunshine Ladies Tour, including a victory. That form has carried her to the top of the Investec Order of Merit.

“That’s what we’ve been working towards,” she said. “I had a chat with my mental coach before this tournament and he said to me I’ve worked for this – to be in contention every week. So it’s a great position to be in.”

India’s Pranavi Urs is five under par with five holes of her first round to complete.

The first round was officially teed off by Cllr Margaret Arnolds, the MMC for Finance, who hit the ceremonial tee shot on Thursday morning.

“This is definitely a proud moment for us to be promoting women’s sport in our city. Entrance is free so I’d really like to encourage our communities to come and support the Joburg Ladies Open,” said Cllr Arnolds.

Photo: Troy Winfield/Sunshine Ladies Tour

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