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LPGA Rookie Mimi Rhodes Poised for Stardom
The young Englishwoman has the "clutch gene" to succeed on the LPGA Tour.
Published on Feb. 26, 2026
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Mimi Rhodes, a 24-year-old Englishwoman, is making her LPGA rookie debut at the 2026 HSBC Women's World Championship in Singapore. Rhodes' path to the LPGA was marked by a crucial putt she sank at LPGA Qualifying School to earn her tour card. According to fellow English major champion Karen Stupples, Rhodes has the "clutch gene" that could make her a star on the LPGA Tour. Rhodes' coaches at Wake Forest also helped her improve her putting, which was previously a weakness despite her strong ball-striking.
Why it matters
With two English players now in the top 10 in the world - Charley Hull at No. 3 and Lottie Woad at No. 9 - Rhodes has a chance to help usher in a golden era for English golf on the LPGA Tour. Her success could inspire more young English golfers to pursue professional careers.
The details
Rhodes remembers every detail of the putt that earned her LPGA status - it was a downhill, left-to-right, 3 percent break putt that rolled in slowly. Her coaches at Wake Forest had to essentially "ban" her from the driving range for the first two hours of practice in order to improve her putting, which was averaging 34-35 putts per round despite her strong ball-striking. This difficult conversation led to Rhodes improving her putting and developing the "clutch gene" that could make her a star on tour.
- Rhodes earned her LPGA tour card at LPGA Qualifying School in late 2025.
- Rhodes is making her LPGA rookie debut at the 2026 HSBC Women's World Championship in Singapore.
The players
Mimi Rhodes
A 24-year-old English golfer making her LPGA rookie debut in 2026 after earning her tour card at LPGA Qualifying School.
Karen Stupples
An English major champion and Golf Channel analyst who believes Rhodes has the "clutch gene" to become a star on the LPGA Tour.
Penny Rhodes
Mimi Rhodes' mother, who was captured on camera celebrating Mimi's crucial putt to earn her LPGA card.
What they’re saying
“Halfway I was like, 'Oh my God, it looks like it's going to go in. Wait, no,' Rhodes said with a laugh. 'And then I was like, is it going in? Oh my God, it went in!'”
— Mimi Rhodes (Golfweek)
“I think when it comes to having a clutch gene, you either have it or you don't.”
— Karen Stupples, major champion and Golf Channel analyst (Golfweek)
What’s next
Rhodes begins her rookie season on the LPGA this week at the HSBC Women's World Championship in Singapore, where she is playing on a sponsor invite and is in a share of third place after the first round.
The takeaway
Mimi Rhodes' journey to the LPGA Tour highlights the importance of developing a strong mental game and the "clutch gene" that can help young golfers succeed at the highest level. Her success could inspire more young English golfers to pursue professional careers and help usher in a golden era for English golf on the LPGA Tour.
