Perth-born professional golfer Maddison Hinson-Tolchard has declared her ambition to compete in more major championships in 2026, building on a promising rookie season that saw her world ranking skyrocket.
From Perth to Pebble Beach: A Major Ambition
The 23-year-old, who honed her skills at Gosnells Golf Club and studied at Penrhos College, got her first taste of major competition as an amateur at the 2023 Women's US Open at Pebble Beach. Now, having completed her first professional season on the Ladies European Tour (LET), she is determined to return to golf's biggest stages.
"Majors are going to be a goal for this year," Hinson-Tolchard stated this week while back in her hometown to compete in the Webex Player Series Perth at Royal Fremantle Golf Club. "I'm going to try and qualify for The Open and we've got opportunities to try and get into the Evian later in the year."
A Meteoric Rise in the World Rankings
Hinson-Tolchard's rapid ascent is quantified by her world ranking jump. This time last year, she was ranked 1212th in the world. After an encouraging finish to her LET season, which included two top-10 finishes, she has soared to 279th.
Her 32nd-place finish on the LET Order of Merit secures her entry into most tour events, but the majors require separate qualification. Reflecting on her major debut at Pebble Beach, which she described as a "brutal" but "unreal experience," she is hungry for more. "I'd love to be out there competing in the majors again," she said.
Transition from College Star to Professional Prodigy
Before turning professional, Hinson-Tolchard was a collegiate golf star with Oklahoma State University, finishing fourth in the 2023 NCAA Division One Women's Golf Championship. She admits the transition to the pro tour was challenging.
"The beginning of the year started off a little bit rough but I learnt a lot," she confessed. However, she now feels equipped for a stronger second season, citing her growing familiarity with the tighter European courses which suit her straight driving.
While enjoying the community on the LET, she values her support team at home. This week, she has her boyfriend, Perth Thundersticks hockey player Brodee Foster, caddying for her, a partnership that blends serious athletic preparation with a relaxed dynamic.
For Hinson-Tolchard, time in Perth is a cherished rarity, offering the comfort of home-cooked meals and her own bed as she prepares for a 2026 campaign focused squarely on joining the world's elite at golf's most prestigious tournaments.
