Staff WriterThe Aramco Korea Championship might be brand-new to the calendar, but it’s already turning up the volume as Chiara Tamburlini and Mimi Rhodes step into the spotlight—and the captain’s chairs—at New Korea Country Club this week.
Former college teammates, fast friends, and now rival skippers, the pair headline the second stop of the PIF Global Series with form hotter than a Seoul street-food grill.
Rhodes Rolls In Red-Hot
England’s Rhodes has been sprinting out of the blocks in 2025, pocketing back-to-back Ladies European Tour trophies at the Joburg Ladies Open and the Ford Women’s NSW Open. Not bad for someone who only turned pro last year.
“I think I’m in a really good place right now following those two wins. My game still feels fresh, even after having three weeks off. It was great to go back and reset with my team.
This is the start of a long stretch of events, so I’m just excited to get going again.
“I actually wasn’t expecting to be a captain, but there was talk that I might be. So yeah, it gave me a little confidence boost today and showed me I could be up there with the big names.
It gave me a bit more authority, I guess. It’s just pretty cool to be able to pick my own team, and I’m looking forward to it.”
Expect Rhodes to attack the pins with the zeal of someone who’s just discovered she gets to choose the playlist in the team cart.
Tamburlini Turns Consistency Into Stardom
If Rhodes is sprinting, Tamburlini has been running a marathon at world-record pace.
The Swiss standout hoisted three LET trophies in 2024—South Africa, France, Taiwan—bagging both Rookie of the Year and the Order of Merit.
She also captained victorious squads in Shenzhen and Riyadh, becoming the first to claim consecutive team titles in a single season.
“I’m very excited for this week. I always love these team events, and being captain is really fun. I think it’s cool to pick players I enjoy being around, because it’s a long round and it’s nice to have good company.
As captain, there’s a bit of responsibility to guide the team and keep the energy up. You want everyone to be having fun and fighting for every shot.
“I had a couple of top-10s on the LET in South Africa, which was great. I also played my first major in the U.S. recently – that was a huge learning experience.
I had some really good conversations with my team last week, and I’m hoping to put those lessons into action this week.
My game feels good, and I know a lot of it comes down to the mental side – staying in it regardless of how the ball-striking is. I feel ready.”
Tamburlini’s blend of Swiss precision and fearless shot-making should play nicely on New Korea’s undulating greens—where three-putts lurk like kimchi for breakfast: an acquired taste best avoided by visitors.
Reunion—With a Twist
Rhodes and Tamburlini aren’t just competitors; they’re co-authors of a chapter in collegiate golf history and teammates in Tamburlini’s winning squad at Riyadh last year.
This week they’ll trade high-fives for head-to-head strategy as they draft partners in the innovative team format.
Why the Team Format Matters
- Captain’s Picks: Each leader selects one professional; the third pro and the local amateur are drawn at random.
- Synergy Over Stars: Chemistry often trumps world ranking, making locker-room banter nearly as vital as birdie streaks.
- Double Stakes: Team glory and individual honours pay out separately—bragging rights sold separately as well.
What’s at Stake in the Aramco Korea Championship
- Second stop, big points – As event two of five in the PIF Global Series, a strong finish keeps momentum rolling toward the season finale.
- Local buzz – Golf Saudi’s foray into Korea taps a vibrant fan base eager for world-class women’s golf.
- Future trajectories – A win here could launch a major-season surge for either captain.
Course Snapshot: New Korea Country Club
- Par 72, 6,600 yards of tree-lined fairways, sneaky doglegs, and greens slicker than ice on a K-drama set.
- Risk-reward par-5s at 7 and 15 beg for heroics—expect at least one captain to oblige.
- Late-spring conditions promise firm turf and swirling breezes; ball-striking will be tested, imaginations rewarded.
First-Round Tee Time & How to Watch
The opening round of the Aramco Korea Championship thunders off the first tee on Friday, 9 May 2025.
Fans can follow live scoring on the LET website, with highlights and behind-the-scenes clips across social platforms tagged #PIFGlobalSeries.
Tickets & Info
For those within shouting distance of Seoul—or willing to book the flight—tickets and full event details are available at aramco-korea.tixr.com.
Pack sunscreen, curiosity, and maybe a notepad; you might witness the moment the game’s next superstar claims the microphone for good.
Someone once quipped that golf is “an endless series of tragedies, obscured by the occasional miracle.” This week, Chiara Tamburlini and Mimi Rhodes will try to turn miracles into routine at the Aramco Korea Championship.
If they do, tragedy will have to find someone else to torment.
