“I don’t know, maybe it’s my name. It’s not ideal, but they are here now and done all my prep,” Rudgeley told Golf Australia magazine of her yearlong luggage dramas.

This reporter was alerted to the fact by the 21-year-old’s mentor of sorts back at Mount Lawley Golf Club in Perth Sue Thomson, who put the call out for help on Twitter to get the clubs from Bangkok Airport a near two-hour drive from the club.

The clubs did arrive, but not till Tuesday night, meaning Rudgeley, the English Women’s Amateur Champion in 2021, went out for her first look at the host venue on Tuesday borrowing the clubs of her Australian teammates.

“I played 18 as well yesterday, but just with everyone’s clubs. So, it was good, at least I got to play and see the course,” she said.

Rudgeley will play the opening two rounds with World No.4 Saki Baba. PHOTO: David Paul Morris/R&A/R&A via Getty Images.

“Not always the way it is planned out, but it is what it is.

“It just takes your mind off things. There is more things in life that is worse than losing your clubs, right.”

Once back with her clubs on Wednesday, Rudgeley seemed to get well acquainted with the par-72, making a hole-in-one at the par-3 2nd hole, which measures 126 metres.

“Wish it was tomorrow,” the Perth-based player smirked when asked about the ace.

Beyond clearly liking that particular part of the par-72 that welcomes the Championship this week, Rudgeley feels her game is in good shape as she chases a second trip to the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship, one of the spoils of victory this week alongside a start at the AIG Women’s Open and Amundi Evian Championship.

“It’s good, it feels really good,” Rudgeley said appraising her game after a second full 18 hole practice round on Siam’s Waterside Course. “Just got to touch up a few little things and ready to get going.”

Not only has Rudgeley been reunited her clubs this week. The same is true of her closest friend in the Aussie squad Kelsey Bennett of New South Wales, who was runner-up when this tournament was played last year in Dubai. The pair rooming together this week.

“Not always the way it is planned out, but it is what it is. It just takes your mind off things. There is more things in life that is worse than losing your clubs, right.” - Kirsten Rudgeley.

“Double trouble back together,” Bennett said of spending the week at the hotel alongside her close friend. “I dunno, depends,” she added wryly when asked if it was a good thing.

Time will tell on that front, but one thing is certain, Rudgeley is clearly dangerous when armed with her own clubs rather than those of others.

Something she will hope to prove starting tomorrow when she takes on the likes of US Amateur champion Saki Baba, and her Japanese teammate Mizuki Hashimoto who won this event in 2021.

Rudgeley grouped with Baba for the opening two rounds, as well as Thailand’s highest ranked player Natthakritta Vongtaveelap. The trio off the 1st tee at 11:11am local time in the tournament’s feature group.