Victorian Steffanie Vogel and Queensland teenager Godiva Kim share the lead after an action-packed opening round of the 2025 Ford Women’s NSW Open Regional Qualifying Event at Bathurst Golf Club.
Both players fired rounds of four-under 68 to sit atop the leaderboard, with Vogel closing her round in spectacular fashion, carding four birdies in her final six holes.
The 26-year-old, a member at Cobram-Barooga, overcame a shaky start that saw her bogey two of her first three holes.
“I started two over through three holes, so I bogeyed my first and third hole of the day, which was a bit frustrating,” she explained.
“But I thought there were plenty of opportunities out there to make a couple of birdies, which I did, and then all of a sudden I had four birdies in the last six holes, and kind of shot up from nowhere.”
Reflecting on her position as a co-leader, Vogel expressed her excitement.
“Really good. Like, to be where I am is really good, especially after the start. I haven’t really been in that position. So, bit of a different feeling. But hopefully, I can try and do it again tomorrow.”
For Vogel, this tournament represents a significant milestone. After graduating from the membership pathway program in 2020 and turning professional just over four years ago, she’s eyeing her first professional win.
“This will be my first professional win, so it’ll be amazing. Yeah, I’ve sort of been struggling and been around that 15, top 20 sort of mark, so to be able to be given the opportunity to try and win one is exciting.”
Meanwhile, 16-year-old Kim, the reigning 2024 NSW Amateur Champion, dazzled with an eagle on the par-5 10th hole to highlight her round.
Despite a self-described “not the greatest start,” Kim credited her father, who was caddying for her, for helping her stay focused.
“I think my dad tried to push through it with me. So I think that’s what got me full circle today,” she said.
On her eagle, she added, “Nothing really much happened on that one. I think I just hit the shot that my dad told me to hit, and it just ended up rolling to the hole. So that was about it. I just hit what I had to hit.”
Victory tomorrow would also mark Kim’s first professional win.
“I’m hoping that I’ll keep my head up, stay afloat. I’m not sure about winning the whole thing, but I just want to stay up there.”
The leaderboard remains tightly contested, with Western Australian Jess Whitting, Queenslander Jordan O’Brien, and Illawarra local Danni Vasquez tied for third, just one shot behind the leaders at three under par.
The final round tees off tomorrow at 8 AM, with the leading group set to start at 10:05 AM.
All the action will be streamed live from 10 AM on the Women’s NSW Open website and the SEN App.
