Somi Lee leads way at PIF Saudi Ladies International, Team Kyriacou set the pace

Arab News

13-02-2025

RIYADH: Korea's Somi Lee surged to the top of the leaderboard at the PIF Saudi Ladies International on Thursday, delivering a flawless 7-under-par 65 in the opening round at Riyadh Golf Club.
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The 26-year-old's performance gives her a one-shot lead over Germany's Esther Henseleit and England's Annabell Fuller.
Lee set the tone early, reaching 4-under on the front nine before sinking three crucial birdie putts in the final four holes to cap off a near-perfect round. Fresh off a top-15 finish at last week's Founders Cup, she remains focused on the task ahead.
'I don't want to think about what has passed. I just want to think about what's coming, and that's my main focus,' Lee said.
Alongside the individual battle, the PIF Saudi Ladies International features a unique team format, with 28 teams of four competing for a $500,000 prize fund. The best two scores on each hole contribute to the team total, adding an exciting dynamic to the event.
A brilliant team effort from Stephanie Kyriacou's squad propelled them into the lead. The Australian, a two-time Ladies European Tour winner, combined with Germany's Olivia Cowan, Czechia's Sara Kouskova, and England's Liz Young to post a team-best -17.
'We 'ham and egged' really well,' Kyriacou said, after closing her round with four birdies in the last five holes to boost her team's total. Cowan also delivered a dazzling display, carding eight birdies, including a near ace at the par-3 17th.
She added: 'I wasn't really doing much for the first 14 holes but I was able to turn it on (in) the last few that will help us going into Friday.'
Close behind in second place is Team Lee, led by individual leader Somi Lee, whose 65 was backed up by an impressive 67 from Minsun Kim. They were joined by France's Nastasia Nadaud and England's Amy Taylor.
One of the day's biggest highlights came from Thailand's April Angurasaranee, who celebrated her first-ever hole-in-one. The 20-year-old struck a perfect 6-iron at the par-3 sixth hole, much to the delight of her team captain Moriya Jutanugarn.
The PIF Saudi Ladies International continues to break new ground, with an equal prize fund to the men's event.
Round two tees off on Friday, as the world's best battle for both individual and team glory in Riyadh.