Lauren Walsh ended 2025 on a high and she has started 2026 with a flourish after she opened the PIF Saudi Ladies International with a round of 67 at Riyadh Golf Club.
Walsh shares sixth place on five-under-par and is just three shots off the early pace set by Mimi Rhodes and Hye-Jin Choi.
The Castlewarden woman earned her LPGA Tour card at the end of last year and she is gearing up for a maiden campaign Stateside with some early events on the Ladies European Tour.
Although she is still only embarking on her third full season as a touring professional, she quickly established herself as one of Europe’s brightest young talents and she will feel that a breakthrough victory is the next thing to add to her already impressive CV.
Walsh was in sparkling form on day one here, rolling in five birdies in a bogey-free round.
Starting on the back nine, the 25-year-old began steadily with birdies on the 14th and 17th before she roared towards the clubhouse with three birdies in four holes on the 3rd, 5th and 6th to end the day alongside Hyejun Park, Casandra Alexander, Cholcehva Wongras, Carolta Ciganda, Trichat Cheenglab and Caolina Chacarra.
Elm Park star Anna Foster also got her second LET season off to a solid start with round of 70 that included four birdies and two bogeys and she lies in a share of 41st place alongside Charley Hull on two-under.
Choi and Rhodes are both eight-under after rounds of 64 and they lead Chizzy Iwai by the minimum with former winner Patty Tavatanakit in a share of 4th place with Manon DeRoey on six-under.
Scoring HERE
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