Korea’s Somi Lee fired a sizzling opening round of 65 to lead the PIF Saudi Ladies International by a stroke after the first day's play.
Lee, who turned professional in November 2023, began the day from the 10th tee and made back-to-back birdies on 15 and 16 before rolling in two more on the 18th and first holes.
A bogey on the sixth was sandwiched between two birdies and the 26-year-old finished with a flourish with birdies on the eighth and the ninth holes to seal a round of seven-under.
Germany’s Esther Henseleit and England’s Annabell Fuller ended the day in a share of second place on six-under after firing rounds of 66.
Eight players are in a tie for fourth place with China’s Muni He, Austria’s Emma Spitz, Swiss duo Chiara Tamburlini and Morgane Metraux, Korea’s Minsun Kim, Australia’s Hira Naveed, Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul and Germany’s Laura Fuenfstueck all on five-under-par.
Ireland's Lauren Walsh is level par after starting with a solid 72.
One of the highlights of the day was Thailand’s April Angurasaranee who made her first ace on the Ladies European Tour (LET) on the sixth hole using a six-iron.
