Bold headline: Mimi Rhodes takes the lead at the Saudi Ladies International as halfway approaches, signaling a dramatic chase to the title.
England’s Mimi Rhodes fired a three-under-par 69 to seize the outright lead at the halfway mark of the PIF Saudi Ladies International. The 24-year-old carded birdies on the 10th, 13th, 1st, and 2nd holes, with her only setback a bogey on the 16th, finishing 11 under for the event.
Rhodes, the 2025 Ladies European Tour rookie of the year, sits one stroke ahead of Casandra Alexander of South Africa and Chizzy Iwai of Japan, who share second place at Riyadh Golf Club. Spain’s Carlota Ciganda and Japan’s Rio Takeda are tied for fourth, just one behind the leaders after another strong round.
South Korea’s Choi Hye-jin—who had held a share of the lead after opening with a 64—remains in the mix, perched at eight under along with a pack of challengers.
Rhodes reflected on her position, saying, “I haven’t put too much pressure on myself this week, though I know this is a big event. My goal was to start with a cut made, and I’ve accomplished more than that. I won’t change my approach for the weekend. I’ll shift back into the zone, take it one shot at a time, make birdies when possible, and minimize mistakes to see where I finish.”
Two fellow Britons, Esme Hamilton and world No. 5 Charley Hull, are also in strong contention at seven under.
This year marks the LET’s first time opening the season with a Riyadh event. Players are competing for a record prize fund exceeding €40 million across the 2026 season (roughly £34.5 million), underscoring the tournament’s growing prestige and the LET’s expanding footprint.
