
Rhodes holds nerve to win Joburg Open
England's Mimi Rhodes kept her composure as she won the Joburg Ladies Open in South Africa by one stroke for her second consecutive Ladies European Tour title.The 23-year-old had started the day with a three-shot cushion and made three birdies as she carded a two-under round of 71 to finish top of the leaderboard at 14 under.South Africa's Casandra Alexander made a final-round 69 as she took Rhodes all the way to the final hole of the LET event."The nerves were really getting to me in the last couple of holes. We both hit birdies on 17 and walking down 18, I wanted to make sure I just didn't think ahead," Rhodes told the LET website, external."I just kept my focus out there and the play just went my way so really happy. Casandra did really well and kept the pressure on."Rhodes' victory at the Modderfontein Golf Club in Johannesburg was the LET rookie's second consecutive title after victory in the Women's NSW Open in Australia last month."It's amazing to win in another country and for it to be my second in a row," Rhodes added."It's given me a huge amount of confidence for the rest of the season and my pro career."It's honestly a dream come true - and to be playing so well so early in my career, I'm lost for words. It's just amazing and I can't wait for the rest of the season."

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BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Harry relishes home Open - with boyfriend Olesen as caddy
AIG Women's OpenVenue: Royal Porthcawl, Wales Date: 31 July - 3 AugustBBC coverage: Live radio and text commentary across all four days of the championship Darcey Harry was at Royal Portrush earlier this month, cheering on boyfriend Jacob Skov Olesen as he shared the lead after round one of the men's Open week it will be Olesen in the supporting role as rising Welsh golf star Harry makes her AIG Women's Open debut at Royal Olesen will not be backing Harry, 22, from behind the Dane is to caddy for his partner, just as he did when the Ladies European Tour (LET) rookie claimed a memorable victory at Belgium's Hulencourt Women's Open in June."Originally I was going to caddie for myself for a little bit, but then my boyfriend had an off-week that week [in Belgium] so I said 'ooh you can come and push my bag'," Harry explains."The first time he caddied for me we won, so that was a really nice moment to share with him."I think I learned a lot from him being on my bag. I don't think I would have been able to do it without him." The hope is that Olesen's presence will bring more success as Harry plays just the second major of her fledgling career this week at the course she calls Harry, Olesen is in his rookie year on tour having turned professional after coming through qualifying made quite a splash at the Open, shooting 67 on Thursday to reach the top of the he fell away in round two, Olesen made the cut and ended up 68th, which was a creditable return in what was just the second major of the 26-year-old's it is Harry preparing for her second major appearance having debuted at the Evian Championship earlier this missed the cut in France in what was her first time competing alongside the best players women's golf has to Harry is back home in positive mood after an encouraging display at last week's Scottish Open, where she finished tied-38th in what was another high-class field."I am so excited," Harry says."I just can't really believe that I am going to be playing [in the Women's Open at Porthcawl]. I can't really put into words how much I am looking forward to it." Knowing the course - and 'where not go' A gap in Olesen's schedule saw him parachuted in to carry Harry's bag in Belgium, when a final round of 68 saw her win by three shots – and book her place in Porthcawl in the was further success for the Harry-Olesen combination at the Czech Ladies Open the following week, where Harry finished says Olesen's "knowledge" of different shots has given her "such an advantage" when they have worked truth is that this week at least, she will need little help when it comes to mapping her way around the has been a member at Royal Porthcawl since she was in her mid-teens and has played the links hundreds of times."I wouldn't say there will be a huge advantage, but I will know some of the lines and I'll know where not to go," she says."But we are talking about the world's best coming to play here, so they will learn the course in one or two days." 'A lot of concentration and a lot of nerves' Harry has never played Royal Porthcawl with fairways and greens lined with the sort of crowds expected on the south Wales coastline this golf fans are crying out for some success in either the women's or men's games, and there are high hopes for Harry given her impressive start to life on the Wales' highest-ranked golfer at 221st in the world, will stay at home in Dinas Powys this week, and is looking forward to "some food cooked by mum and dad and having all my washing done".While she plans to "give a wave" to the many friends and family members who are likely to be in the galleries this week, Harry says focus will be key to her prospects of competing."I have got to treat it like every other week, try to be in my own zone and try not to get distracted by other things," says Harry."There will be a lot of concentration because there will be a lot of nerves."I definitely think if I play my best golf, then I will have a chance to hopefully climb up the leaderboard."


Graziadaily
2 days ago
- Graziadaily
Joey Barton Called The Women's Euros A 'Nonsense Pottery Trophy' But His Opinion Is Irrelevant
After five nail-biting matches, one of which saw England beat Sweden on penalties, the Lionesses made their way to the Euros 2025 final against Spain and won for the second time in a row. It goes without saying that most England teams are not prone to victory – except this one. Aside from lifting the coveted trophy and altering the trajectory of women's football, this team consistently inspires the whole country. Well, the whole country bar a few bitter apples still hellbent on undermining the Lioness's achievements, mocking their talents and embarrassing themselves. Enter Joey Barton. After complaining he had been 'overlooked' for punditry gigs because he is a man – not, as is more likely, for his lack of valuable football analysis – the former Manchester City player and ex-Bristol Rovers manager has landed himself in the headlines for calling the Women's Euros a 'Nonsense Pottery Trophy'. Chloe Kelly of England celebrates with teammates following the team's victory in the penalty shoot out during the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Final match between England and Spain at St. Jakob-Park on July 27, 2025 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by) He posted on X after the final to write, 'Don't ever ask for equal pay again. Youse are miles off it.' Barton seems unable to distinguish the concept of closing the (inconceivably huge) gender pay gap from asking for 'equal pay'. The average Premier League player earns £67,000 per week, with some earning significantly more, while Lioness captain Leah Williamson is thought to earn £150,000 per year playing for Arsenal. Despite women's matches increasingly filling out stadiums, drawing international attention, and in England's case, taking home more trophies than the men's team, it's still inadequately underfunded on every level. As things stand, top female players like Williamson would have to work for 23 years to earn what the average male player makes in a year. Female footballers are indeed 'miles off' pay parity, but not for the reasons Barton suggests. In another rant, he then exposed how little he has been paying attention to the events of the tournament or the players in the Lioness team, despite claiming to be an expert. Barton tweeted that he could score '1000/1000 penalties against Mary Earps' (who is no longer the England goalkeeper, Hannah Hampton is), not with his foot, but with his 'd**k'. He then added a zinger that must have been lifted from a post-war comic book, telling the players to 'stick to knitting'. This isn't the first time Barton, whose career as a manager and pundit has been on a steady decline for years, has taken a swipe at women's football. In 2023, he claimed 'women are not qualified' to talk about men's football' and have 'no authority on the subject'. It's curious to understand by that logic why he feels he has the authority to talk about women's football. 'I'm bothered about the female footballers who aren't good enough players to comment on the male players because they don't understand the game,' he continued on X. 'They are taking men's jobs that our good enough [sic]. They are taking their opportunities. Taking food out of their families' mouths. When those men have done the hard yards.' If the room you're in has just filled with fog, it's probably the stench of Barton's bitterness. Sadly, he joins a rank of men who feel ownership over the game and refuse to recognise or accept that women have been watching, playing and commenting on the sport since it began. Luckily Alex Scott and Jill Scott, who ran the coverage of the Euros final, along with Gabby Logan and Jeanette Kwakye, are all proven professionals in their fields and do not need an endorsement from someone who has been fired from multiple jobs in football, a history of making sexist and racist remarks and a criminal record. While the virality of Barton's comments exposes that these misogynistic, regressive opinions still exist, the overwhelming condemnation of said comments show that Barton is part of a woeful minority – one that is slowly losing its influence. As his career illustrates, no one is entitled to be a leading voice on football just because they once played the game professionally, nor because they are a man. As Barton taps away on his keyboard posting sexist vitriol on X, the Lionesses are preparing to fly home from Switzerland ready to parade the Euros trophy through central London to an army of fans old and new. It's safe to say they've had the last laugh. Chloe Kelly and Michelle Agyemang celebrate with the UEFA Women's EURO trophy. (Photo by) Nikki Peach is a writer at Grazia UK, working across entertainment, TV and news. She has also written for the i, i-D and the New Statesman Media Group and covers all things pop culture for Grazia (treating high and lowbrow with equal respect).


Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
LIZ JONES: Molly-Mae Hague 'made it' by donning a cheese-wire thong on national TV. Now fans are recoiling at the woman she has become
Compare and contrast the following quotes, both uttered by young women in the public eye in the past 24 hours. Exhibit A: 'I played the whole tournament with a fractured tibia, but no one knew.'