Day one on an overcast Riyadh Golf Club saw plenty of scoring opportunities with just 18 players over-par for their opening salvo. It’s tight at the top too, with a trio of Luna Sabron, Pia Babnik and Charley Hull leading the charge after opening 65’s [-7].
They hold a one stroke advantage over another strong three on six-under, including Carlota Ciganda. Lauren Walsh had a fine opening 68 which sees her right in the hunt on four-under as she resets for round two.
Walsh was out in the mid-morning from the 10th tee. It was a rocky start for the 24-year-old rookie with bogey on her second, the par-four 11th. The Carton House woman struck back instantly however, with birdie on the par-five following hole. This seemed to settle the nerves as the 11th would prove to be her only blemish on an otherwise neat and tidy opening day. She went on to grab another back on the par-3 17th seeing her turn on one-under.
More of the same followed on her homeward leg as she would card three more birdies on a fine back nine. She dispatched the par-four third and seventh as well as another birdie on the par five fifth hole before parring her way home to sit in a share of 10th. Sitting just three off the lead and with good scoring on show already in Riyadh, Walsh sits in good shape to scare the top of the leaderboard heading into the weekend in Saudi Arabia.
Setting the early pace are a capable trio though, who will take some catching as the week rolls on. Luna Sabron had 17/18 GIR on day one with her only blemish, a dropped shot on her only missed green of the day on the par-three 14th. Slovakia’s Pia Babnik joins the fun on seven-under after her flawless 65 comprising seven birdies and zero dropped shots. A nice day at the office for the 20-year-old two-time LET winner. Another player seeking an elusive win, and sharing the overnight lead is Charley Hull.
Hull, with five top three finishes this season, was out of the traps hot with a blistering start. Four birdies and an eagle three on the fifth hole saw her quickly atop the order after her outward nine. Two more birdies on her back nine were tempered by her only misstep of the day, bogeying her final hole, the par-four 18th. In the Team competition, Chiara Tamburlini’s squad of Mimi Rhodes, Anne-Charlotte Mora and amateur Tenniel Chun hold a healthy five-shot lead after equalling the Aramco Team Series 18-hole record of 23-under par.
Co-leader Sabron Galmes was on hand to reflect on her fine opening day. “My putting was on fire!” the Spaniard said. “I made almost all my putts today. I’ve worked a lot during the year, and I changed my putter – I’m using the Lab putter and I’m also using AimPoint. I’m very happy with it.”
Babnik too gave her thoughts on her leading score. “I just really enjoyed playing,” the Slovenian said. “I was just waiting for all my practice to come together and today was the day. The course feels so open compared to last week in India. I love this place, and I love playing here.”
Walsh will rejoin the action on day two with a 9.20 tee-time from the first hole. Joined by Alice Hewson and Celine Herbin, she will look for more of the same to put herself into striking position heading for moving day.
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