West Australian Rudgeley returns to Wollongong Golf Club hoping to go one better than last year’s runner-up finish, while Bennett will be looking to build on her T12 result at the PIF Saudi Ladies International a fortnight ago, the first event of the new LET season.

The pair could barely be separated on the LET’s Order of Merit in 2025 as they ended the year as the highest-ranked Australians, Bennett 20th on the season-long standings in her first full season in Europe, just 10 points and one place ahead of Rudgeley.

“It’s good to know I’ve worked as hard as I have to get to where we are,” said Bennett, who grew up at Mollymook on the NSW South Coast.

“It’s a pretty big honour to be able to play this close to home and have friends and family around, so I’m looking forward to it.

“I’ve surrounded myself with a really strong team, and I think that makes a massive difference. I’ve been working super hard with my coach on many different parts of the game.

“I was really lucky that I had played the Vic Open and Webex Victoria before Saudi. It was nice to take some good form into there and hopefully continue it this week.

“It’s so special to have four LET events in Australia. I think about the other girls who are able to go home to Europe throughout the year, so it’s nice for once that home isn’t too far away for me. That side of it is good and hopefully we can showcase some seriously world-class golf courses.”

Both players sole victories to date on the WPGA Tour of Australasia have come at the same event, The Athena, with Rudgeley winning as an amateur in 2022 and Bennett triumphing in 2024.

Last year, Rudgeley held a share of the first-round lead and then carded a final round 68 as she finished two strokes behind England’s Mimi Rhodes, sharing second with Alessandra Fanali. It was the first of six top-10 results on the LET in 2025.

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“The wind was definitely a factor [for me playing well last year],” said Rudgeley

“I just love being by the water and I know the golf course well. You have to change your ball flight, which for me is quite easy. I’ll have to get the driver going again. But it’s a nice golf course and the people are really nice here. I’ll just go out there, play my best and see what happens.

“It would be great to win here in Australia. But I know the win will come when it comes. I’ll just keep knocking at the door and hopefully I’ll get the win.”

Entry to the Ford Women’s NSW Open is free with registration. The final two rounds will be broadcast live on Kayo Sports.