Staff WriterIf you’re looking for a golfer rewriting her own story this season, England’s Mimi Rhodes has all but grabbed the pen and run off with it.
Back in Texas for the Aramco Houston Championship, the fourth stop in the PIF Global Series, Rhodes stands as one of the favourites to win—remarkable, considering just three months ago she was doubting whether she belonged at this level at all.
Her last visit to the Lone Star State ended in heartbreak at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in Frisco. Two rounds of 76, bags packed, and the uneasy feeling she was crashing a party she wasn’t invited to.
Fast forward to this week at Golfcrest Country Club in Pearland, and the 23-year-old has three LET titles under her belt, a lead in both the Order of Merit and Rookie of the Year standings, and a swagger that suggests she’s not only arrived—she’s planning on staying.
“This year has gone above and beyond,” Rhodes said with a beaming smile after a nine-hole practice round on Wednesday. “It’s not that I didn’t have high expectations for myself — I knew I was capable of getting a win — but to have three already in my first year has given me such a boost in confidence. It’s proven to me that I belong here and that I can compete with the best players in the world.”
From Missed Cuts to Major Confidence
Rhodes’ rise hasn’t been smooth. Missing the cut at both the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship left her questioning if she was cut out for the big stage.
“My first major was the KPMG in Texas, and I put so much pressure on myself being around such big names that I felt like I didn’t belong,” she admitted. “But people around me reminded me that I’m good enough to be here. I learned a lot after KPMG and Evian — especially after missing those cuts.
“It made me realise it’s still my first year, I’m still gaining experience, and it’s amazing that I’ve already played three majors.
Now I’m just focused on learning and improving. If another win comes, great. If not, there’s still plenty of time in this game.”
That patience paid off at the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl, where Rhodes tied for 19th with a 1-under total of 287. “At the AIG, I went in with such an open mind, and that took some of the pressure off, especially with it being so close to home,” she said.
A Rookie With Teeth
Since turning professional after the 2024 Curtis Cup, Rhodes has shown all the signs of a player who thrives under pressure. Wins at the Ford Women’s NSW Open, the Joburg Ladies Open, and the Dutch Ladies Open have turned her into one of the LET’s most compelling stories.
“I’ve worked really hard on my putting, and when I saw the difference it made, I just kept at it,” she explained. “My game overall is pretty consistent right now, so even small adjustments can make a huge difference any given week. I feel like I’ve got all the elements needed to win — it’s just about putting them together at the right time.”
Course Suits the Moment
Golfcrest Country Club, hosting the Aramco Houston Championship for the first time, looks like a good fit for Rhodes’ strengths.
“It actually suits my game pretty well,” she said. “I’m good off the tee, and most of the tee shots here are driver, so it’s about finding the fairway and then it’s fairly straightforward from there.
The greens are rolling really nicely, so I’ll just make sure I take a good look at them and work closely with my caddie.”
More Than a Tournament
The PIF Global Series continues to grow its reputation by bringing elite golf to new markets. Beyond the leaderboard, Houston’s edition is running Go Golf clinics, workshops, and sustainability sessions, ensuring the event leaves more than divots in its wake.
Tickets are modestly priced—$15 for Friday, $20 for the weekend days, or $50 for a full pass—making it one of the best values in professional golf.
As Rhodes tees it up in Texas once again, the difference is night and day. No longer the rookie questioning if she belongs, she’s now the player everyone else is watching.
For more details on the PIF Global Series and the Aramco Houston Championship, visit www.pifglobalseries.com.
