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.
Related: Mimi Rhodes hold on to lead in Riyadh
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.
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“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.”
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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.
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“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.
