At the PIF Saudi Ladies International, Somi Lee and Team Kyriacou lead the respective individual and team competitions after the first round. Despite rainy conditions, Lee fired a stellar 65, while Walsh shot a level-par 72, lagging behind. Henseleit and Fuller also performed well, with both shooting rounds of 66. Teams showed strong performances, with several competitive duos poised to challenge the leaders.
Somi Lee and Team Kyriacou emerged as leaders in the PIF Saudi Ladies International after the first day at Riyadh Golf Club, despite rain impacting gameplay. The morning commenced wetly, but conditions improved mid-round before further rain returned. Lauren Walsh, finding herself troubled by the weather, recorded a level-par 72 following a solid start that included birdies on holes 5 and 6. However, she faced challenges with the greens, ultimately falling behind the leaders by seven strokes.
In the team competition, Team Kyriacou stands at -18, achieving an impressive error-free round. Comprised of Steph Kyriacou, Olivia Cowan, Sara Kouskova, and Liz Young, the team performed consistently, scoring nine-under-par on both the front and back nines. Captain Kyriacou praised the team dynamics and successful collaboration: “It was a pretty good day, there weren’t many holes where we shot even for the hole, so that’s great.”
Somi Lee’s team secured second position on the leaderboard at -17, with teams led by Chisato Iwai and Grant close behind at -16. Five teams, including Tamburlini, Henseleit, and Thitikul, are just one shot further back at -15.
Korean golfer Somi Lee set the pace in the individual competition with a stellar opening round of 65, positioning herself a stroke ahead. Lee’s round included four birdies before finishing strong with two more on the final holes. Reflecting on her performance, she expressed satisfaction with her improved shot accuracy: “I feel very good. Last year, I had a problem with my shots, so that was the part I focused on during the winter training.”
Germany’s Esther Henseleit and England’s Annabell Fuller each produced rounds of 66, sharing the second spot. Henseleit noted her enjoyment and the positive team atmosphere during play: “It was fun…we were all pretty chilled out and just enjoying the day.” Fuller also noted her consistent play and how being paired with a familiar competitor enhanced her experience.
Overall, the first day of the PIF Saudi Ladies International showcased competitive spirit, teamwork, and impressive individual scores among participants, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the tournament.
The opening day of the PIF Saudi Ladies International revealed strong performances from both teams and individual players, particularly Somi Lee and Team Kyriacou, who dominated the leaderboards. While Walsh encountered difficulties, the resilient atmosphere among competitors like Henseleit and Fuller highlighted the competitive yet supportive spirit of the tournament. As the teams progress, fans can anticipate more dynamic play in the coming rounds.
Original Source: irishgolfer.ie
