CIGANDA MAKES SPECTACULAR ACE AS RHODES AND CHOI SET THE PACE IN PIF SAUDI LADIES INTERNATIONAL

Mimi Rhodes and Hye-Jin Choi share top spot after round one of the PIF Saudi Ladies International at Riyadh Golf Club, the curtain-raiser for the 2026 PIF Global Series and the Ladies European Tour (LET). 

The prodigious Brit and the accomplished South Korean are locked in the top spot following matching 8-under-par rounds of 64, nudging themselves into the outright lead ahead of a tightly bunched chasing pack that includes Japan’s Chizzy Iwai, Belgium’s Manon De Roey and the 2024 champion Patty Tavatanakit.

Rhodes produced a spotless, bogey-free start, finishing with a late surge to cap off her round in style. Joining the 2025 LET Rookie of the Year, Choi soared to the top of the leaderboard with a score of 64, posting a remarkable six birdies over her impressive first nine holes.   

The South Korean, who has seven top ten Major finishes to her name, has picked up in 2026 where she left off in 2025 on the LPGA, where she finished inside the top 30 in her last six tournaments. The 26-year-old held the outright lead for much of the day, before the relentless three-time LET winner powered through the field.  

Making her PIF Global Series debut, Choi said: “My shots didn’t feel that good, but my putting was crazy. I made two long putts and then after that I felt better and much more confident, so that’s why I feel I played well. 

“I played really well last year, and have only started well today, so I don’t know what the future holds yet, but I’ll just give it my best shot.” 

24-year-old Rhodes, who played in all PIF Global Series events in 2025, said: “Clearly a lot went well for me today. Having had so much time off [over the winter break], I was a bit nervous at the start. 

“I left a few putts short, but the game felt solid. I missed a few greens on the front nine, but I made up-and-downs. On the back nine, I just forgot about my score, and I was trying to make as many birdies as I could. I don’t think I missed a green on the back nine, so everything was feeling good. My putting was on point. 

“I think the course is the best that’s it’s ever been. The greens have improved so much, they’re rolling so nice and I just got used to the speed of them early on and focused a lot on the practice rounds. I was looking at breaks and the speed of the greens, and it paid off today.” 

SPANISH ACE 

The highlight of the day’s play came from Solheim Cup stalwart, Ciganda, who delivered a stunning hole in one on the 157 yard, par three, flushing a nine straight at the flag on the 8th hole, on her way to shooting an impressive five-under-par 67. 

“I had 144 metres, and I played a par three a couple of holes before that, hit a nine [iron], and it was pretty good. So, I just hit the same club, the wind was very similar, and it just went straight to the pin. We couldn't see, so I didn't know what happened, and then the camera guy told us that it went in, so it took us a few seconds to realise. I am very happy to have a hole in one and start the day like this.” 

The Spaniard also celebrated the efforts of PIF Global Series and Golf Saudi, and their pursuit of growing the women’s game, alongside the tournament action this week at Riyadh Golf Club.   

“Every time I come to Saudi I see more people here, more kids, more women, everyone enjoying themselves. I know golf is a pretty new sport here, but I think the more we play and the more we come, the more normal is going to be so I’m very happy to be playing here, and hopefully we can make an impact.”   

Sustained Futures is one of the PIF Saudi Ladies International event’s main initiatives designed to inspire and educate the next generation through direct engagement with the sport. The 2026 programme launched today with a total of 370 students who will be participating throughout the four-day duration of the tournament.

Golf Saudi continues to utilise the series as a bridge for local talent, fostering a lasting memory and creating a legacy for the sport within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 

“Leading this youth engagement initiative is profoundly meaningful to me, as it represents an opportunity to foster dialogue, empowerment, and positive development among young people,” said Iven Ilievska, spokesperson from Sustained Futures. 

“Seeing so many bright young people looking to the future, capturing innovative ideas, and stepping forward as advocates for change makes me incredibly proud. 

“Sustained Futures is using sport as a powerful platform to raise awareness about environment consciousness and help bridge the green skills gap. It’s an honour to lead this engagement and to connect with such inspiring young minds.”