RED-HOT RHODES STORMS INTO ROUND ONE LEAD INARAMCO HOUSTON CHAMPIONSHIP HEAT

England’s Mimi Rhodes battled with the humid Texan heat at Golfcrest Country Club posting a six-under-par round of 66 in the first round of the Aramco Houston Championship to lead the way by two shots in the penultimate and fourth event on the PIF Global Series this season.

Rhodes fired seven birdies and a bogey for a two-shot lead over four-time Ladies European Tour (LET) winner Nuria Iturrioz, Luna Sobron Galmes, Solheim Cup star and Golf Saudi ambassador Anne Van Dam of the Netherlands, and Malaysia’s Ashley Lau, who all sit at four-under-par.

A cluster of eight players lie a further shot back on three-under-par including world number 10 and Golf Saudi ambassador Charley Hull and Sara Kouskova, who has won twice on the LET this year and sits in second place on the LET OOM.

Luna Sobron Galmes’ performance helped Team Boutier, led by French captain Celine Boutier another standout Golf Saudi ambassador, take the first-round lead at 18-under-par, two shots ahead of Team Tan, captained by Singapore’s Shannon Tan, on 16-under.

Rhodes, enjoying a stellar rookie season on the LET with wins in Australia, South Africa, and the Netherlands, expressed her delight at her performance and highlighted the importance of the PIF Global Series events for the growth of women’s golf.

She said: “I’m really happy with it. I was consistent, only missed a couple of fairways, and I feel like my swing is in a good place. I can shape different shots if I need to, and I got a bit creative out there. The putts were rolling nicely too, which always helps.

“These are the events we look forward to all year. They’ve really elevated women’s golf. To win one would show that I can compete against the best in the world on this stage. It would be a huge confidence boost at this point in the season.”

Nuria Iturrioz, who last tasted victory on the LET at the 2023 La Sella Open, reflected on her performance, the course, and her goals for the rest of the week, saying: “It was a good round. I played really solid, but I did miss quite a few putts, so I felt like there were more chances out there. Overall, I’m happy with how I played and it gives me confidence for tomorrow.

“It’s a really good golf course. I know there was a lot of rain last week, but it’s dried out really quickly. The greenkeeping team has done a great job.

“I’d love to get back into the winner’s circle, but my main goal is to be more consistent. That’s what I’ve been working on – both my swing and my mental game.”

Luna Sobron Galmes, who has won three times in her career, all on the LET Access Series, is playing with new clubs this week and didn’t have any expectations coming into the week so was pleasantly surprised by her performance in round one.

The Spaniard said: "I played really well and felt very comfortable out there. My caddie was fantastic, which gave me a lot of confidence. On Sunday and Monday, I had to play with a new set of clubs, so I wasn’t sure how they would feel, but I went out with no expectations and it worked really well.

"The key for me has been mindset. Staying calm, being patient, and taking it step by step is what helps me perform. I’m looking forward to tomorrow and just want to enjoy being here with the team."

The event showcased exceptional talent across the fi eld, with seven Golf Saudiambassadors fi nishing in the top-20 after the first round.

At the core of Golf Saudi’s vision is the development and empowerment of women in golf, offering world-class competition opportunities and nurturing the next generation of female golfers. Through innovative programs, grassroots initiatives, and global campaigns, Golf Saudi is introducing the sport to new players and inspiring beginners to pick up the game.

Beyond individual achievements, Golf Saudi is driving the expansion of the Kingdom’s golfing ecosystem, promoting mass participation, supporting elite player pathways, and positioning Saudi Arabia as a dynamic hub for golf, tourism, and investment.