This week on the LPGA Tour — Quotes from New South Wales
The IX: Golf Thursday with Marin Dremock, March 27, 2025
This week on the LPGA Tour: Nelly Korda is defending her title at the 2025 Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass.
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Happy Golf Thursday, everyone, and welcome back.
The 2025 Ford Championship is back, this year at Whirlwind Golf Club’s Cattail Course. It’s the second iteration of this tournament. Here’s who to keep an eye on in Arizona.
Last year’s event took place at Seville Golf and Country Club, where Nelly Korda shot a bogey-free final round 65 to win her third of what would be five consecutive LPGA Tour victories.
“Yeah, I mean, I love coming to Arizona,” Korda said in a pre-tournament press conference. “I’ve competed here a number of times even just as a junior as well. Yeah, had a couple instances where I’ve defended at different golf courses, and you just have to take that with a grain of salt and just go out, have fun, compete and see where it takes you.”
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We’ll see if Korda can continue her favor in Arizona in her third start of the 2025 season. She’s had some time to grind after a second place finish at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions and a tie for seventh at the Founders Cup.
Korda’s title is not going to be an easy one to keep. The field is one of the strongest of the season. Forty of the top 50 golfers in the Rolex Women’s Golf Rankings are set to tee it off in search of a win. World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul, who won this season on the Ladies European Tour and had a run of consecutive top-10 finishes on the LPGA Tour, will be fighting hard to get into the winner’s circle.
Lydia Ko, A Lim Kim, Yealimi Noh, Angel Yin and Rio Takeda will all look to win for the second time this season as well.
Along with the defenders and contenders, some notable names are making their returns to professional golf. 47-year-old Cristie Kerr, who missed the cut at last year’s Ford Championship, is teeing it up again this week. Lexi Thompson is also planning to play in her second tournament of the season after tying for 13th at the Founders Cup.
Rose Zhang is taking a break from her schooling at Stanford to make her second start of the year. She tied for 10th at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.
“I’d say I give myself a little bit of time to adjust,” Zhang said about getting back to being a professional. “I think I need a lot of technique work, a lot of things that I need to work on in terms of my game from the long game to the short, so it’s a lot more focused on that rather than just trying to go for a score, go for wins, all that stuff. Because I think if you take care of your game in the process, then that will put you and set you up for opportunities.”
It’s bound to be a packed leaderboard with a winner impossible to predict. See you back here next week to unpack the drama.
This week in women’s golf
LPGA News
Players to watch: 2025 Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass
How to watch the 2025 Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass
Field breakdown: 2025 Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass
Players to know from the 1950s
Angela Stanford named captain for 2026 U.S. Solheim Cup team
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LET News
Metraux hopes to build on Ford Women’s NSW Open result
Kouskova feeling more comfortable being in contention
Rudgeley finishes Australian events on a high
LET further enhances statistical analysis in partnership with Upgame
Gainer extends Order of Merit advantage after Australian swing
Rhodes keeps her cool to win Ford Women’s NSW Open
Amateur/NCAA News
Stanford women remain unbeaten, beats stacked field in Charles Schwab at Colonial
Florida State’s Mirabel Ting picks up 5th victory of season, heads into ANWA as a favorite
Five at The IX: English rookie Mimi Rhodes wins her first LET trophy at the Ford Women’s NSW Open
After a few gusty rounds in New South Wales, LET rookie Mimi Rhodes triumphed to win her first title. The 23-year-old carded a bogey-free final round 69 (-2) to finish at a tournament total of 17-under. She stayed ahead of Alessandra Fanali and Kirsten Rudgeley, surging competitors, to claim rights on the Ford Women’s NSW Open.
After taking the lead with 18 holes remaining:
“I love playing in front of crowds. The nerves and the pressure, it’s honestly why we play golf. I had loads of fun out there.”
“I would say the pressure is pretty similar [to big amateur events]. There’s so many good players and you never know who might come out and shoot a low score. I’ve learned how to deal with it, and I know how to have fun. I’m just going to try and do that tomorrow.”
On plans before the final round:
“I’ll do some practice this afternoon, go for dinner with some friends and have an early night. I might [go] for a run tomorrow morning on the beach to clear my head.”
Describing her initial emotions on the win:
“I’m honestly still in shock. But I’m so happy. I’ve worked really hard for this. I had a difficult week last week [missing the cut in Coffs Harbour], I went through a swing change and it obviously worked! I’m just really happy.”
On celebration:
“To celebrate I’m spending the night with family and friends in Sydney. Maybe we’ll have some champagne! They don’t really drink, but I’ll definitely be drinking. Then I have my flight home tomorrow.”
Runner-up Alessandra Fanali on being behind the leaders going into final rounds:
“I enjoy chasing. I stayed calm until the final putt. I feel like I’ve been in this position before so I’m used to it now. My boyfriend and caddie, Guilio, helps a lot. He’s been great this week. Finally I’m back there [at the top] and I’m excited for tomorrow.”
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