The Next-Generation Prepare for Take Off - Checking in with Grace Kim, Kirsten Rudgeley & Cassie Porter

Ask anyone in the Australian golf industry and they’ll tell you that there’s an exciting bunch of young players moving up through the ranks. For this next-gen-themed piece, Women’s Golf Magazine decided to profile three up-and-coming golfers who are consistently on our radar.

Grace Kim, Cassie Porter and Kirsten Rudgeley represent just a fraction of the incredible talent that’s blossoming in our country and we couldn’t be prouder to have them as cover stars!

Please enjoy the following interviews and player insights and be sure to keep an eye on these wonderful athletes as they compete throughout 2023. By doing so, you’re guaranteed to be entertained, plus you’ll be supporting women’s golf and collectively helping to grow our game.

Grace Kim

Sydney-based Kim, 22, has already emerged as a world-class professional, having put together a stellar amateur career. She is a four-time recipient of the Karrie Webb Scholarship, won the 2021 Australian Amateur by an astounding seven strokes and is now playing on the LPGA tour.

How do you deal with first-tee nerves in a competition?
I try to take as many deep breaths as I need but generally I am good at dealing with nerves by continuously telling myself that I feel these nerves because I am good enough.

Do you have a specific fitness routine?
I generally go to the gym (non-tournament week) three times, work on different areas of my body on specific days and focus more on strength training than cardio. Not a fan of cardio either!

What’s your most recent career highlight?
Securing my 2023 LPGA Tour card by placing in the top 10 on the Epson Tour season in 2022.

Which Major trophy do you most want to hold high and why?
I would like to hold high the Harton S. Simple Trophy for winning the US Open as it would be nice to be alongside the legends and icons of women’s golf history as well as being an Aussie winning a US title would be something I’d love to do.

Who do you hang out with on tour?
I am quite an independent person, so I do enjoy spending time by myself but, if I do hang out with others, it’s generally with the Aussie girls like Steph Kyriacou or other girls I have met along the way in their amateur and early professional careers.

What clubs are in your bag?
Driver, 3W/5W (switch between the two depending on the course layout), 3H, 4H, 5-9I, PW, 58, 54 and 60-degree wedges. I’ve got an Odyssey Toulon Chicago as my putter.

Please share your top 3 regional courses in Australia.
Avondale GC (bias as it’s my home course), Peninsula Kingswood GC and Kooyonga GC.

Do you play other sports?
If sleeping is a sport, then yes. Haha!

What does the perfect day off look like to you?
Sleep in, go out for brunch, a quick shopping trip then dinner while watching a movie or go out for dinner then a night drive.

What aspects of your game would you like to improve?
I would like to improve my short game. As much as I don’t like to miss greens, I would like to be more creative and confident in my decision when I do miss those greens.

Ideal international golf holiday?
Go golf club-hopping (if that’s a thing) all over America, Europe and the UK as one whole big trip with a bunch of golfers - whether they’re pros or amateurs, it doesn’t matter!

Dream (non-golf brand) sponsor?
A private jet company - so I can fly everywhere and anywhere I wanted to with the given deals. I think that’d be a big win.

Who has the best swing on the LPGA tour?
Nelly Korda and Hannah Green.

What’s the worst thing you have ever seen on a golf course?
A horseshoe.

After a social game, where will you most likely be found post-round? Ordering food, hanging at the bar, chatting at the pro shop, hitting a few more at the range, gambling on Cam Smith to win or all of the above?
Either hanging around the clubhouse, socialising with mates, or on the range practising.

What events are you competing in next?
I am playing on the Epson Tour for a week in Arizona before I play my first LPGA event, the Carlisle Arizona Women’s Golf Classic, which is also in Arizona. Then it’s on to the LPAG Drive On Championship.

What do you most enjoy about playing different tournament formats e.g. the Athena event?
Even though I am not participating in the Athena this year, I am excited to see who will succeed and in what challenge. The Athena is all about having a mix of creativity and skill!

Kirsten Rudgeley

Western Australia’s glowing golf export, Kirsten Rudgeley is already riding the waves of success. Kirsten won the Karrie Webb Scholarship in 2021, along with Grace Kim, and again in 2022 alongside Caitlin Pierce.

She already has the 2021 titles of British and Scottish Amateur champion in the bag. She also took out 1^st place at the 2022 Athena event and finished in the Top 10 at the 2022 Augusta National Women’s Amateur. Impressive! 

Kirsten just turned pro in January this year and we can’t wait to watch her career unleash.  

What’s your most recent career highlight?
Getting my LET tour card!  

How do you deal with first-tee nerves in a competition?
I’ve been pretty lucky with nerves. I don’t get that nervous and on the odd occasion that I do, I’m able to handle it pretty well.

Do  you have a specific fitness routine?
I go to the gym most days. I’m trying to get my body stronger each time I go, which will ideally help prevent injuries.

Which Major trophy do you most want to hold high and why?
Probably the British Open because I really do like playing links golf. This would be the nicest one to win since most of my family live over in Europe too.  

What clubs are in your bag?
I use all Callaway equipment.

What do you most enjoy about the upcoming Athena event?
The Athena is a great week, not just for the golf but for the extra bits that come along with it. Meeting the other girls and doing things outside of golf is always fun too.

Please share your top 3 regional courses in Australia.
Kalgoorlie, Bunbury and Pinjarra.

What does the perfect day off look like to you?
Go to the gym, have a coffee then go hang out at the beach.

What aspects of your game would you like to improve?
I would like to get better at my 40 to 65 yard pitch shots.

Ideal international golf holiday?
I’m keen to go to Bali and play golf!  

Dream (non-golf brand) sponsor?
BMW for sure.

Who has the best swing on the LPGA tour?
Anne van Dam.  

What’s the worst thing you have ever seen on a golf course?
The worst thing I’ve seen on the course would have to be alligators in the US.

After a social game, where will you most likely be found post-round? Ordering food, chatting at the pro shop, hitting a few more at the range or all of the above?
I usually get a coffee and some lunch and then head straight back out to the practice area.

What events are you competing in next?
In March I’m off to the Joburg Ladies Open in South Africa, then on to the South African Women's Open in Cape Town. Hopefully, I’ll be at the Aramco Series in Singapore too.   

Cassie Porter

2022 was Cassie Porter’s first year as a pro and the Sunshine Coast’s rising star’s career took off like a rocket with five straight top 10 showings – the TPS Victoria, Victorian Open, TPS Murray River, TPS Sydney and TPS Hunter Valley. Porter was also a strong contender at the Australian Women’s Classic at Bonville and also at the Women’s NSW Open at Coolangatta-Tweed Heads.

More recently, Cassie claimed her first professional win at the 2023 WPGA Melbourne International.

How do you deal with first-tee nerves in a competition?
First tee nerves are something that has always been there and will always be there for me as my career means the world to me. I have learned to accept that they are going to be there and not try to suppress them as that just makes them work against you instead of working with you. Committing to my pre-shot routine and being confident in my ability are two key ways to overcoming the discomfort of first tee nerves. 

Do you have a specific fitness routine?
I am currently seeing Matt Winkley for strength and conditioning training. We have a really good routine for when I’m at home and away to maximise my physical potential. However, it’s always a work in progress!

Which Major trophy do you most want to hold high and why?
The US Open Major trophy would be an honour to hold with my name on it. However, my biggest goal is to earn my place on The Australian Women’s Open trophy as there is no bigger honour than winning your national event. 

What clubs are in your bag?
I use Ping equipment! A PLD Ping Putter, Glide Forged Pro Wedges 60/56/50deg, G425 Irons W-4iron, G430 SFT Fairway 5/3 Woods, and the G430 LST Max Driver.  

Please share your top 3 regional courses in Australia.
Rosebud Country Club, the Victoria Golf Club and Bonnie Doon Golf Club.

What does the perfect day off look like to you?
The perfect day off for me includes lots of good food, a little bit of retail therapy and a good dose of Vitamin C. 

What aspects of your game would you like to improve?
I’ve been working hard on my mental game as I believe no matter how your game is shaping up, as long as you have a strong mindset, you can think your way around the course. However, there is always room for improvement in all aspects of my game and I am excited to work hard and see what the next chapter brings! 

What’s your most recent career highlight?
Winning my first professional event at the WPGA Melbourne International at LaTrobe Golf Club. 

Ideal international golf holiday?
I would love to go to Hawaii and play all the top-rated courses. I love Hawaii so it would be amazing to explore it a bit more and see its beautiful sights as well. 

Dream (non-golf brand) sponsor?
It is a dream of mine to be sponsored by a car brand. Specifically, Audi would be amazing!! 

Who has the best swing on the LPGA tour?
I believe Matilda Castren has the purest swing on the LPGA Tour. 

What’s the worst thing you have ever seen on a golf course?
It’s hard to pinpoint, however, I think a snake is pretty terrifying so that would be up there.

After a social game, where will you most likely be found post-round? Ordering food, chatting at the pro shop, hitting a few more at the range or all of the above?
You would most likely find me doing a little more practice, ordering food or making my way straight to the beach! 

What events are you competing in next?
I am heading over to compete on the Epson Tour for my LPGA Tour card. I will be in the United States for most of the year, working to achieve my ultimate dream: to be an established player on the LPGA Tour.  

Main photo credit: Candice High