The Complete Guide to the 2026 Ford Women’s NSW Open
Tournament Overview
The 2026 Ford Women’s NSW Open is the biggest edition of the championship in its 20-year history. A record €350,000 (approx. AUD $600,000) prize purse headlines a week that features 132 players from more than 30 countries, including at least 19 Ladies European Tour winners, 13 Olympians, 15 tour rookies and two previous champions of the Women’s NSW Open. The Jan Stephenson Trophy is wide open with 2025 champion Mimi Rhodes not defending, setting up what promises to be a thrilling four-day contest on the NSW South Coast.
Wollongong Golf Club’s coastal layout, founded in 1897 and sitting directly on the Pacific Ocean shoreline, hosted the championship for the first time in 2025 and returns as the venue for 2026. Spectator entry is free across all four days with an open-access format; no ropes, no barriers.
Quick Facts
| Dates | Thursday 26 February – Sunday 1 March 2026 |
| Venue | Wollongong Golf Club, Corrimal Street, Wollongong NSW 2500 |
| Prize Purse | Approx. $600,000 AUD (record for the tournament) |
| Field Size | 132 players from 34 countries (80 LET, 30 WPGA, 22 invites) |
| Format | 72-hole stroke play (36-hole cut) |
| Trophy | Jan Stephenson Trophy |
| 2025 Champion | Mimi Rhodes (ENG) — not defending |
| Sanctioned by | WPGA Tour of Australasia & Ladies European Tour – 500 Order of Merit points for the win |
| Spectator Entry | Free all four days — open access, no ropes |
| Broadcast | Rounds 3 & 4 live on Fox Sports & Kayo from 12 PM – 5 PM |
| Live Scoring | womensnswopen.com.au |
| Social | #NSWOpenGolf |
Schedule
| Monday 23 Feb | Practice rounds. Virtual Open Team Edition Event to be held at Smash Factor from 5 PM. |
| Tuesday 26 Feb | Practice rounds. |
| Wednesday 25 Feb | Pro-Am – 11:00 am shotgun start |
| Thursday 26 Feb | Round 1 — first tee approx. 7:00 am |
| Friday 27 Feb | Round 2 — cut to the top 60 players and ties after 36 holes |
| Saturday 28 Feb | Round 3 — live on Fox Sports / Kayo |
| Sunday 1 Mar | Round 4 — live on Fox Sports / Kayo. Presentation ceremony to follow |
Players to Watch
Meghan MacLaren (ENG) — Two-time Women’s NSW Open champion (2018, 2019), chasing an unprecedented third title.
Kirsten Rudgeley (WA) — Runner-up at Wollongong in 2025, finishing just two shots behind.
Kelsey Bennett (NSW) — South Coast local from Mollymook who secured her full LET card in 2024. She tees up as the highest-ranked Australian from last year’s LET Order of Merit.
Cara Gainer (ENG) — Had a brilliant 2025, claiming her first LET title at the Lalla Meryem Cup in a dramatic play-off and finishing fifth on the Order of Merit.
Momoka Kobori (NZL) — 2023 Women’s NSW Open champion looking to reclaim the Jan Stephenson Trophy. Knows what it takes to win at this level and at this event.
Anna Huang (CAN) – the highest-ranked player in the field sitting 111th in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings. The 17-year-old won twice on the LET in 2025.
Emma Spitz (AUT) — Paris Olympian with strong 2025 LET season. She has made the most consecutive cuts on the LET from 2025-2026.
Alessandra Fanali (ITA) — Paris Olympian representing Italy and finished equal runner-up at the Ford Women’s NSW Open last year.
Sara Kouskova (CZE) — Paris Olympian with solid LET form.
Pia Babnik (SLO) — Two-time LET winner and two-time Olympian (Tokyo, Paris).
Lydia Hall (WLS) — Four-time WPGA Tour winner, including the 2026 VIC Open just last month.
Su Oh (VIC) — Three-time WPGA Tour champion, Olympian (Rio) and one of Australia’s most experienced professionals.
Morgane Métraux (SUI) — LET winner and two-time Olympian (Tokyo, Paris).
Rachel Lee (NSW, amateur) — The 17-year-old 2025 Australian Amateur champion who co-led the Australian Women’s Open.
Diksha Dagar (IND) — Two-time LET winner and Tokyo Olympian.
Ella Scaysbrook (NSW, amateur) — Semi-finalist at the 2025 US Women’s Amateur at Bandon Dunes.
Klara Davidson Spilková (CZE) — Three-time Olympian (Rio, Tokyo, Paris) with vast international experience.
Sarah Kemp (NSW) — Veteran LPGA Tour player making a remarkable comeback from a compound leg fracture suffered in August 2024.
Hannah Reeves (QLD) — Made history as the first player to win three consecutive NSW Open qualifying events.
Past Champions
2025 — Mimi Rhodes (ENG)
2024 — Mariajo Uribe (COL)
2023 — Momoka Kobori (NZL)
2019 — Meghan MacLaren (ENG)
2018 — Meghan MacLaren (ENG)
2015 — Holly Clyburn (ENG)
2014 — Joanna Klatten (GER)
2013 — Caroline Hedwall (SWE)
2012 — Lydia Ko (NZL)
2010 — Sarah Oh (AUS)
2009 — Sarah Oh (AUS)
2008 — Laura Davies (ENG)
2006 — Joanne Mills (AUS)
Note: Tournament not held 2016-2017 or 2020-2022
For Media Attending
Accreditation
Media accreditation is required for access to the media centre, interview areas and photography positions. To apply, contact the Golf NSW media team at media@golfnsw.org.au. Accreditation will be available for collection from the entry of the golf club from Monday, 23 February.
Media Centre
The media centre is located upstairs at Wollongong Golf Club. WiFi is available. The media centre will be open from 7:00am each day of competition.
Player Interviews
Players will be available for interview in the designated media interview area following their rounds. Broadcast interviews will be given priority in the 20 minutes immediately following a player completing their round. Media are asked not to approach players on the course or in the scoring area.
Photography
Accredited photographers will be issued a pass and must not get in the way of players when taking photos. Drone usage requires prior approval from Golf NSW. Please contact media@golfnsw.org.au to apply.
Parking
Dedicated media parking is available at Wollongong Golf Club. A parking pass will be provided with your accreditation.
For Media Not Attending
Media Releases
Daily media releases, including scores, leaderboard updates and key quotes, will be distributed via email each evening after play concludes. To be added to the distribution list, contact media@golfnsw.org.au.
Broadcast Footage
B-roll and highlights packages from Rounds 3 and 4 will be available for licensed broadcasters. Please contact Golf NSW media to arrange access.
Photography
Tournament photography will be available for editorial use throughout the week. Images will be uploaded to our Media Hub following each round. Contact the media team for access details.
Live Scoring
Live scoring is available at womensnswopen.com.au throughout all four rounds.
Social Media
Follow @GolfNSW and the official tournament accounts across Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and X for live updates, highlights and player content throughout the week. Tag and use #NSWOpenGolf for all tournament coverage.
Media Contact
For further information, please contact:
Kass Rogan – Digital & Media Officer
