The first round at the LET’s first event of the season, the PIF Saudi Ladies International, is in the books, and a couple big names are at the top of the leaderboard.
Hye Jin Choi, the No. 17 player in the Rolex Rankings and Mimi Rhodes, who will be on the LPGA Tour this season, are leading the way at -8 with Japanese star Chizzy Iwai one back at -7.
Despite some uncharacteristic inaccuracy off the tee, Choi was in prime form with just one bogey along with eight birdies in the opening round. She made three early birdies on her first seven holes before dropping her lone stroke on the day on the ninth hole. She really took off on the back nine with five birdies and only 11 putts. She had just 24 total putts for the day.
Choi has a strong case for best player on the LPGA Tour without a win with 29 top-10 finishes, nine of which came in 2025. She’s actually never won on the Ladies European Tour either, so this is a big chance for her to get the biggest win of her career.
In contrast Rhodes was one of the best players on the LET in 2025 with three wins but none after May. The Englishwoman is trying to get into the discussion for the European Solheim Cup team.
Rhodes didn’t have any bogeys of the day, likely as a result of gaining .81 strokes putting. Like Choi, Rhodes really took off on the back nine with five birdies, including three in a row right after making the turn.
It is early, with a stacked leaderboard, but this is a strong start for two of the better players in the field.
