Staff WriterIf you were looking for a quiet weekend stroll in the sun, the PIF Saudi Ladies International at Riyadh Golf Club is not the place. What started as a $5 million statement of intent from women’s golf in the Kingdom has morphed into a full-blown shootout, with Hye-Jin Choi and Rio Takeda tied at 15-under and a cast of villains, heroes and hopefuls stacked up behind them like luggage on a budget airline.
Choi’s Flawless 65 Lights The Fuse
Choi, all of 26 and apparently allergic to bogeys, produced a blemish-free seven-under 65 that launched her from a tie for sixth into a share of the lead. It was the sort of round that makes other professionals question their life choices – fairways, greens, and birdies arriving with the punctuality of a Swiss train.
Her charge set the tone for moving day at PIF Saudi Ladies International, where the rough is thick, the sun is high, and the leaderboard is tighter than a new pair of golf shoes.
Takeda’s Rough-And-Ready Eagle
Matching her at the top is Japan’s eight-time JLPGA winner Takeda, who put together a birdie-splattered card built around one gloriously unruly moment on the 507-yard par-five 12th.
Her second shot – a 3-hybrid from the rough – bounded towards the green, crashed through a bunker, flirted with the fringe and eventually staggered to a stop just 12 feet from the hole. She rolled in the eagle like she’d planned the whole circus from the start.
It was the sort of shot that would have most of us reaching for the rules book and a hip flask, but Takeda simply added it to the list of reasons she’s tied for the lead at Riyadh Golf Club, where the PIF Saudi Ladies International is making a habit of producing highlight-reel golf. Riyadh Golf Club
A Leaderboard You Could Bounce A Dirham On
This is the first PIF Global Series tournament of 2026, and it’s determined to go off with fireworks. Fourteen players finished round three within five shots of the lead – which means the final day is less “process golf” and more “who blinks first in the Saudi sun”.
Closest to the lead is South African Casandra Alexander, who signed for a confident 68 to sit just one shot back. Lurking two behind are seven players who would like a word with the scriptwriters before this thing wraps up.
Alison Lee Gets Her Gamers Back – And Goes Low
Among that dangerous posse is American Alison Lee, who began the week in a scenario every pro dreads: world-class event, rental clubs, and your own set enjoying a mini break somewhere in Europe. Her bag finally arrived from Amsterdam, and she promptly responded with six birdies and an eagle on the 359-yard par-four 10th.
Lee, who lifted the trophy at Riyadh in 2023, sounded visibly relieved to be reunited with her old friends.
“Yeah, it was great. It felt good to have my clubs back. Honestly, I was thinking today, I really hope I play better with my gamers than the rentals, or else we’re going to be in trouble tomorrow. But I felt great. It’s always nice to have your own clubs. You just feel more comfortable. That’s what you practice with. They’re reliable. You know how they’re going to react, so it’s great to have them back.”
If that’s her being “comfortable”, the leaders might want to sleep with one eye open. Lee remains firmly in contention for the PIF Saudi Ladies International crown heading into the final round.
Twins, Major Stars And A Rising LET Queen
Sharing fourth with Lee is a who’s who of modern women’s golf. There are Japanese twins Akie Iwai and Chizzy Iwai, who between them have amassed 19 professional wins (nine and 10 respectively) and the sort of telepathic understanding that would make Ryder Cup captains weep.
Joining them: their compatriot Nasa Hataoka, Korea’s Ina Yoon, eight-time Solheim Cup star Carlota Ciganda, and the 2025 Ladies European Tour Order of Merit winner, Shannon Tan.
The 21-year-old Singaporean is keeping her feet firmly on the ground, even as the leaderboard sways in the heat.
“I would say for tomorrow, I’ll just focus on myself and just treat it like the past two days. I’ve done pretty well, so just going with the same approach and just play it shot by shot and just play it that way.”
If she keeps doing “pretty well” at the PIF Saudi Ladies International, she may need extra luggage for the trophy.
Hull, Tavatanakit And Rhodes Looming Large
Two further shots back, at 11-under and still very much in play, sit six more threats, including World No. 5 Charley Hull, 2024 champion Patty Tavatanakit, and overnight leader Mimi Rhodes.
Hull has the firepower to turn any final round into a demolition derby, Tavatanakit knows exactly how to win around Riyadh, and Rhodes has already shown she can set the pace. Put them all within four of the lead at the PIF Saudi Ladies International, and you’ve got yourself a Sunday (or in this case, Saturday) that could go sideways in a hurry.
Golf Meets Culture: Saudi Heritage Takes Centre Stage
While the field has been trading birdies and eagles, the off-course action has been just as vivid. The Saudi Cultural Village at Riyadh Golf Club has turned the tournament grounds into a living postcard of the Kingdom’s heritage. Saudi Cultural Village
From intricate traditional weaving to the welcoming aroma of Saudi coffee, and the presence of the iconic Saudi falcon, the village offers a sensory journey through the customs and flavours of every region, north to south.
These festivities have created a unique cultural heartbeat at the PIF Saudi Ladies International, giving international players and local fans the chance to immerse themselves in the deep-rooted hospitality and vibrant traditions that define Saudi Arabia. It’s less like a standard tour stop and more like a festival that just happens to hand out a very large cheque at the end.
All of it feeds into Golf Saudi’s mission to elevate women’s golf in the Kingdom and broaden access to the sport through world-class events. Judging by the quality of the leaderboard at this year’s PIF Saudi Ladies International, the players have absolutely received the memo.
Final Day Showdown: How To Be Part Of It
Saturday, February 14 marks the final day of the Saudi Ladies International, and the scriptwriters have left us with every possible ending still available. Choi and Takeda may have the edge, but with 14 players within five shots and stars like Lee, Hull, Tavatanakit and Rhodes on the charge, nothing is guaranteed except drama.
Tickets for the PIF Saudi Ladies International remain on sale and can be purchased at: webook.com/en/events/pif-golf-ladies-int
For more information on the PIF Global Series and the upcoming Saudi Ladies International, visit: pifglobalseries.com
