Hye-Jin Choi and Rio Takeda sit at the top of the leaderboard on 15-under-par with one round left of the 2026 PIF Saudi Ladies International.
Korea’s Choi, who was a co-leader after the first round, fired a 65 (-7) on day two at Riyadh Golf Club to climb to the top of the leaderboard.
The 26-year-old had a flawless round three as she rolled in birdies on the second, fourth, fifth, eighth, 12th, 13th and 15th holes to be in a share of the lead with 18 holes remaining.
“I played really well. I feel everything in my game is really solid. I feel very good. My putting all day was really good I felt,” said Choi.
“Yesterday my shot wasn’t good because I was in the rough a lot, so I didn’t feel I played well. But today was good, I almost made the fairways today, so that’s why I played really well.
“I made little tweaks from yesterday to today. I focused more on the position at the top of my swing instead of the start of my swing. I think it worked. I had lots of chances for the win last year, I feel a little bit nervous, but I’m really excited for tomorrow. I have another chance.”
World number 14 Takeda of Japan fired a round of 66 (-6) for the second consecutive day to also join Choi at the top of the leaderboard.
The two-time LPGA Tour winner made an eagle on the 12th alongside five birdies with her only dropped shot of the day coming at the last.
“My front nine was good and I made lots of birdies which makes me feel very good,” said Takeda. “I feel the strong wind makes the difference on the course, I will focus on the wind to make it good.
“[On the eagle] I couldn’t see much and I saw it go into the bunker, but to get an eagle from that shot was very good. Tomorrow, I want to focus on my own golf and my own game.”
Meanwhile, Lauren Walsh clicked back into gear with a bogey-free round of 67 to climb into a share of 2nd place on eight-under-par.
The LPGA Tour bound star roared out of the traps with three straight birdies and topped them up with two birdies in three holes to start the back nine.
Anna Foster also made a move in the right direction with a 69 to sit just outside the top-40 on six-under.
Scoring HERE
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