Kelsey Bennett has two big goals firmly in her sights this year – securing a win on the Ladies European Tour and earning LPGA Tour status for 2027.
But before she can start working on those targets, one of Australian women golf’s rising stars will tee it up as one of the favourites in Webex Players Series Victoria at Rosebud Country Club on the Bellarine Peninsula, starting on Thursday
A win at home – in an event where men and women compete for the same prize on the same course – would start the year off quite nicely.
The 25-year-old says it simply feels good to be back in Australia for a run of tournaments, including four events co-sanctioned by the WPGA Tour of Australasia and Ladies European Tour, highlighted by the women’s Australian Open and Australian WPGA Championship.
“It’s so nice to actually just be in Aus,” said Bennett.
“It’s sometimes a bit trickier playing so close to home, but I’m most definitely looking forward to it and having my team out there and all that sort of stuff.
“It’ll be nice to be able to play with some family and friends around, too.”
Reflecting on her 2025 season, Bennett is quietly pleased with how things unfolded in her rookie season on the LET.
Still learning the demands of life on tour, she finished as the highest-placed Australian at 20th on the Order of Merit.
Her ambitions for 2026 are clear. A win on the LET would be a significant breakthrough, while LPGA status remains the longer-term prize.
With no direct pathway to the No.1 tour in women’s golf from the LET, Bennett plans to attend Q School, knowing a top-10 LET Order of Merit finish would earn her a place in the final stage.
“Obviously anything’s possible, so I’m just going to keep sticking to my processes, take it week by week, day by day and not get too ahead of myself,” she said.
“Just try and give myself the best opportunity to achieve those goals.
“My coach (John Serhan) and I are trying to become that little bit more professional every year and really dial in the swing a bit more. There’s definitely a couple of things in there to work on.”
First published in the Mornington News – 20 January 2026