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Podcast Golfunity Episode 11
Today we primarily cover recent events in women’s professional golf, focusing on both the LPGA and Ladies European Tour (LET). Several sources detail the T-Mobile Match Play tournament, highlighting a lengthy Round of 16 match and the eventual winner, Madelene Sagstrom. Concurrently, others report on Mimi Rhodes’ back-to-back victories on the LET and her subsequent position atop the Order of Merit and Rookie of the Year standings, while also previewing the upcoming Investec South African Women’s Open. Finally, a couple of pieces touch on the LPGA USGA Girls Golf program, mentioning champions crowned at a national event and alumni participating in an amateur tournament.
#golf #golfswing #madelenesagstrom #lpga #helenbriem
All right, everyone. Welcome to Golf Unity, the most popular golf infotainment podcast in town. You’re tuned in to episode 11, and let me tell you, you’ve come to the right place. If you’re looking for the hottest gossip, the juiciest drama, and the most electrifying action in the world of golf. No need to waste your time scrolling through endless articles and feeds. We’ve done the heavy lifting for you. Today, we’re diving headirst into an LPGA matchplay battle that was so intense, it nearly ripped a hole in the space-time continuum. the incredible rise of a rookie who’s turning the ladies European tour into her personal playground. And we’ll even take a peek at the crazy talented youngsters who are the future of this amazing game. Buckle up, golf fanatics, because we’re about to drop some serious knowledge bombs. Absolutely. You’re basically getting the Cliff’s Notes version of the most captivating storylines in golf right now, but with, you know, a little extra flavor, a little extra insight. We’ve gone through all the reports and the buzz to bring you what truly matters and why you should care. So, let’s just jump right into it, shall we? We’ve got to talk about this LPGA T-Mobile match play event. Match play, you know, it’s already a pressure cooker, right? But the round of 16 clash between Selen Boutier and Paulu High. This wasn’t just a match. It was an epic showdown. Yeah. 28 holes at Shadow Creek on April 5th, 2025. Can you believe that? Nearly two full rounds of golf head-to-head against the same opponent. What do you think about a match going that deep? Well, I think what’s really interesting is when a match goes that far, it’s not just about skill anymore. You know, it becomes this mental marathon, a test of endurance, a real measure of who can handle the pressure when it just keeps coming and coming. And Shadow Creek, that course is no walk in the park. Its layout is demanding to say the least. So, for Booty and Boohigh to go 28 holes, that tells you everything you need to know about their competitive spirit and their absolute refusal to back down makes you wonder what kind of strategies did they have to use as the match went on. Were they sticking to their initial game plan or were they constantly adjusting? And after that unbelievable battle, we had Maline Sagstrom emerge as the champion on April 6th, defeating Amelia Coughlin in the final. Now, get this. It had been nearly 1900 days since her last LPGA victory. That’s a long time in professional sports. What does a win like that mean? Especially after such a dry spell, it’s huge. When a player goes that long without a win, you know, a victory isn’t just about the trophy or the points. It’s like this massive psychological breakthrough. It’s validation for all the hard work they’ve put in, all the setbacks they’ve overcome, and the belief they’ve held on to, even when things were tough. For Sagstrom, this win probably carries a lot of emotional weight, and it could be a real turning point for her. You know, it could spark a whole new level of confidence and lead to even more success in the future. You have to admire that kind of perseverance. Now, we also saw Nutelli Gaza making some serious noise in the group stage, holding her own against some seasoned Soulheim Cup veterans. That’s like a rookie stepping into the ring with heavyweight champions and coming out swinging. What does that tell you about the competition in this format and the potential for upsets? Well, it really highlights the beauty of match play, right? Anything can happen on any given day. Yeah, reputation and past achievements, they definitely matter, but at the end of the day, it all comes down to who performs better on those specific holes on that specific day. Gusa’s performance, it shows a fearlessness and a level of play under pressure that’s just remarkable. It’s a reminder that the new generation of talent is coming in hot and ready to challenge even the most established players. It was really something to see. Ultimately, four players advanced to the semi-finals that day, setting the stage for Sagstrom’s eventual victory. Okay, so let’s shift gears for a minute and talk about someone who’s definitely not waited years for wins. England’s own Mimi Rhodess is tearing it up on the Ladies European tour. Be back and back victories. This girl is on fire. First, she wins the Ford Women’s NSW Open in Australia. And then she rolls into the Joe B Ladies Open and does it again. That wrapped up just a few days ago on April 6th, 2025. Two wins in her rookie season. That’s the kind of start that makes everyone on the tour take notice. What do you think is so remarkable about that kind of immediate success? Well, I think what really stands out to me is the consistency and adaptability that she’s displaying. You know, winning in different conditions on different courses that tells you she’s got a well-rounded game and a maturity that you just don’t see very often in rookies. It takes a tremendous amount of focus and mental toughness to keep that level of performance up week after week, especially when you’re new to the tour and facing new challenges all the time. It makes you wonder what aspects of her game are particularly strong and how she’s handling the pressure that comes with, you know, instant success like that. And her win at the Joberg Ladies Open at Modaf Fontaine Golf Club, it wasn’t exactly a walk in the park either. The weather was pretty brutal thanks to all that rain. But she still managed to shoot a final round of 71, two underpar to finish at 14 under for the tournament. She even had a three-shot lead going into the final round over some really tough competitors like Cassandra Alexander and Lauren Walsh. How important is it to be able to close out a tournament, especially when you’re in the lead? Oh, that’s one of the hardest things to do in golf. You know, when you you got that lead, suddenly you have something to lose and that can create a lot of tension and affect your decision- making. Road’s ability to stay calm under pressure and shoot under par in those conditions. That shows a lot about her mental game. It tells you she’s not just talented, but also incredibly resilient, which is a hallmark of all the truly great players. And talk about pressure on the 18th hole. She went a little long and almost gave everyone a heart attack thinking there might be a playoff, but she kept her cool and sank that clutch par putt. Talk about ice in her veins. And her reaction afterward was priceless. It’s honestly not sunk in yet. I’m still in shock. I’ve been working so hard for this moment. She sounds like someone who’s living the dream. Oh, absolutely. That moment on the 18th was pure championship grit. Even after a less than perfect shot, she was able to regroup and execute perfectly when it mattered most. That par save wasn’t just about technique. It was about mental toughness, focus, and determination. And yeah, that quote, it really brings home the journey, you know, the dedication and the sacrifices that these athletes make to reach that level. It’s inspiring. And get this, they’re even comparing her early success to Lynn Grant, who also had two wins in her rookie LT year back in 2022. One of them being the Joberg Ladies Open. And that’s some pretty impressive company. Oh, and I almost forgot. Did you hear that she’s been staying at an Airbnb with Lily May Humphre? Sounds like a pretty fun and supportive environment for these young pros on tour. That comparison to Lynn Grant is really saying something. Grant has become a force to be reckoned with on the LAT. So for roads to be mentioned in the same breath, especially this early in her career, it shows just how much potential people see in her. And yeah, the Airbnb thing gives you a glimpse into what life on tour is really like. It emphasizes the importance of camaraderie and the support systems that these players build, especially when they’re on the road. It’s not always easy being a professional golfer. And guess what? Mimi Rhodess is now leading the le order of merit. For those of you who might not know, that’s the seasonl long ranking system. And she’s also at the top of the rookie of the year standings. Talk about making an entrance. Now, we should mention that the Joberg Ladies Open ended up being shortened to 54 holes because of all that rain. But hey, they adapted and we still got a fantastic competition. Big shout out to Cassandra Alexander for finishing strong in second place and Helen Bream for taking third. They definitely kept the pressure on roads. Absolutely. to be lead in both the order of merit and the rookie of the year standings at this point. It’s a huge accomplishment and it shows a remarkable level of consistent performance and yeah the tour’s ability to adjust to those weather disruptions that’s a testament to their professionalism and their commitment to the game and you’re right the strong finishes from Alexander and Bream they really highlight the depth of talent on the le which makes roads victories even more impressive. All right, so the le is moving on and next stop is Cape Town for the Investax South African Women’s Open. That te’s off at Aaron Country and Golf Estate from April 10th to 13th, 2025. So mark your calendars, folks, because this is happening right now as we’re speaking. Today is April 8th. This is the 32nd edition of this tournament, and it’s the 10th time it’s being co-sanctioned by the LE in the Sunshine Ladies Tour. Sounds like a can’t miss event. It’s definitely a major stop on the le schedule and the co-sanctioning just adds to the excitement by bringing together some of the best players from both tours. Aaron Veil Country and Golf Estate, which hosted this event for the first time last year, is just a gorgeous setting for what promises to be another thrilling tournament. It’ll be interesting to see how the players adjust to the course now that they’ve had a chance to play it once already. And the field is absolutely stacked just like you’d expect. We’ve got 132 players from 35 different countries. Talk about a global competition. We’ve got Mimi Rhodess, fresh off her back-to-back wins, and the Lamarium Cup champion, Cara Gainner. Plus, get this. There are 40 past Le winners in the field with a combined total of 76 victories. That’s a lot of experience to it up. Yeah, that level of experience and the international representation, it really speaks volumes about the strength and the global appeal of the lady’s European tour right now. To have so many proven winners in one place, it basically guarantees a fierce competition, and it’s anyone’s guess who’s going to come out on top. It also sets up some really interesting matchups between the rising stars and the seasoned veterans. Now, while the defending champion, Manan, won’t be there to defend her title, Manoka Kabori, will be looking to improve on her tied second finish from last year. And we can’t forget about Leanne Pace, a five-time winner of this very tournament. That’s some serious homecourse advantage right there. We’ll also be seeing past champions like Alice Houston, Dicha Dar, and Tandy McCllum. It’s like a who’s who of le champions. It is. And you know, course history can be a huge factor in golf. A player who’s won multiple times at a particular venue. They often have a comfort level and understanding of the course that can give them a real edge. Leanne Pace’s record here is phenomenal, and it’ll be fascinating to see if she can add another win to her name. and the presence of all those other past champions, it just adds another layer of intrigue to the whole thing. Will experience win out or will a newcomer like Roads keep her winning streak alive? And there are some serious perks on the line here. The winner gets an automatic spot in the Dutch Ladies Open and any of the top 10 finishers who aren’t already qualified get a spot in the Aramco Series Korea. That’s some serious motivation right there. Oh yeah, those kinds of incentives are incredibly valuable for professional golfers. Qualifying for other prestigious events like that can be a real gamecher for their careers. It can boost their rankings, increase their earnings, and give them more exposure. It definitely adds another layer of competition to the tournament, knowing what’s at stake. All right, so now let’s take a look at the future of golf with the drive chip and putt national finals. This is where we get to see the raw talent of the next generation of golfers. The finals wrapped up on April 6th, 2025, and we saw some truly impressive performances from these young players across all age groups. It’s always so inspiring to see the passion and dedication of these kids. It really is, and this event is so important. It’s a fantastic way to introduce young people to the game and help them develop their skills in a fun and supportive environment. When you see the level of talent and enthusiasm on display at the drive, chip and putt national finals, it gives you so much hope for the future of golf. And we even had this really cool moment with Bellisos from the girls 1011 group. She got to pose for a picture with the legend himself, Tom Watson. That’s the kind of memory that will last a lifetime. And it’s a beautiful connection between the past and future of golf. Absolutely. That kind of interaction with a legend like Tom Watson, it can be so inspiring for a young golfer. It gives them a real connection to the history and tradition of the game and it can really fuel their passion and their dreams. And all of this is part of the incredible work being done by the LPG USGA girls golf program. They’re doing an amazing job of nurturing these young talents and creating a really supportive environment for girls to get involved in the sport. It’s not just about competition. It’s about building a community and a love for the game. The LPGA USGA girls golf program is vital for the growth of the women’s game. It provides a pathway for these young girls to learn the fundamentals, hone their skills, and maybe most importantly feel like they belong in the golf world. It’s an investment in the future of golf, and we’re already seeing the results. We even had several LPGA USGA girls golf alumni competing in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. That right there is proof that these programs are working and that they’re developing some seriously talented players who are ready to compete at the highest levels. It really is a direct reflection of the success of these developmental programs. Seeing these alumni reaching the level of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur shows just how effective the training and support they’ve received has been. It’s a testament to the hard work of the organizers and the dedication and talent of these young players. So, there you have it, folks. A whirlwind tour through the most exciting happenings in women’s golf. We covered an epic matchplay battle, a rookie who’s taken the le by storm, a major tournament heading to the stunning landscapes of South Africa, and the incredibly bright future of the game as seen through the eyes of the drive, chip, and putt stars. Hopefully, you’re now feeling fully up to speed on all the must- know action. It has been a really exciting time for women’s golf and it’s great to see so much talent, passion, and excitement in the game. Well, that wraps up this deep dive on Gold Pity, the most popular golf infotainment podcast in town. Don’t forget to ring the bell and follow us on all our social media channels for even more hot takes and behindthe-scenes action. And make sure you join us next time for episode 12, where we’ll be taking a swing at the surprising science behind the perfect golf swing. Trust me, you don’t want to miss it. We’ll see you then.
