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.”
South Africa’s Casandra Alexander sits in solo third place on 14-under-par after a round of 68 (-4) in Riyadh.
The LET winner began with back-to-back birdies on her first two holes and then made her next birdie on 12.
Her only dropped shot of the day came on 14 before back-to-back birdies on 15 and 16 to secure her place in the final group tomorrow.
“I hit the ball much better than the previous two days; unfortunately, the putter wasn’t behaving as well, and I could only make one putt out there today,” said the South African. “Hopefully, I have saved them all for tomorrow.
“I always love a challenge, if you look at my history with the Majors it’s my favourite thing. I’m excited, I will probably meet some new girls out there tomorrow who have slightly different game play to what I have. I am going to do the same thing, try to keep it tidy and hopefully that putter behaves.”
Seven players are in a share of fourth place with American Alison Lee, Singapore’s Shannon Tan, Spain’s Carlota Ciganda, Korea’s Ina Yoon and Japanese trio Akie Iwai, Chizzy Iwai and Nasa Hataoka all on 13-under-par.
Two-time LET winner Lee played with her own golf clubs for the first time today and fired a round of 65 (-7) which included a hole-out eagle, six birdies and a bogey.
“It was great. It felt good to have my clubs back! Honestly, I was thinking today I really hope I play better with my gamers than the rentals otherwise we’re going to be in trouble tomorrow,” said the U.S. star.
“I felt great, it’s always nice to have your own clubs. You feel more comfortable, that’s what you practice with and you know they’re reliable and how they’re going to react. It’s great to have them back.
“The eagle was great. I was in the first cut, I hit a 54-degree wedge. I had a blind shot there, so I didn’t know it went in, but there were a few people that cheered. It was great. It’s always fun to hole out, I had a chip-in yesterday, so this was a bit of an upgrade.
“It’s a strong field. There are a lot of really good golfers out there. I definitely feel a little bit rusty just because I haven’t played as much in the last year with having a baby. I’m really happy to be in this position. If you told me at the beginning of the week, especially without having my clubs that I’d be in contention I would be really happy and excited.”
2025 LET Order of Merit winner Tan produced a round of 67 (-5) and has been enjoying playing the course this week.
“Over the past two days, my putting has been pretty good and my ball-striking has been decent,” said Tan. “I have just been putting myself in position and if I’m out of position on my tee shot, I need to get back in position. Knowing when to be aggressive and conservative has helped.
“It’s the first time I have played this course and it’s felt this short. Having shorter clubs into the greens means it’s easier to get it closer and off the tee, being able to hit driver instead of just laying-up I think that helps as well.
“For tomorrow, I will just focus on myself and just treat it like the past two days really. I have done pretty well the past two days, so I will go in with the same thoughts and play it shot by shot.”
With the top 10 players all within two shots, it’s all to play for in the final round of the PIF Saudi Ladies International when the first winner of the 2026 Ladies European Tour season will be crowned.
The final round will begin at 7.30 am (local time) with the leaders teeing off at 11.36 am (local time) at Riyadh Golf Club.
Follow all the action throughout the 2026 PIF Saudi Ladies International on our socials – @LETgolf on Instagram, TikTok and X, and Ladies European Tour on YouTube and Facebook – #PIFSaudiLadiesInternational #PIFGlobalSeries.
