"'New Bride' Lydia Ko Leads with 8 Under Par... Hong Jeong-min at 7 Under Par"

LET Aramco Saudi Ladies International Day One

World No. 1 Lydia Ko (New Zealand) is on a winning streak.

Lydia Ko [Photo by LET Official Website]

On the 16th, Lydia Ko fired an 8-under-par 64 in the first round of the Ladies European Tour (LET) Aramco Saudi Ladies International (total prize money $5 million), held at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club (par 72, 6,225 yards) in King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. She took the top spot on the leaderboard. Parjari Anannarukan is tied for first place, while 'LPGA Rookie of the Year' Atthaya Thitikul (both from Thailand) are tied for third place (7-under-par 65).

Sponsored by Saudi Arabia's state-owned company Aramco, this tournament was established in 2020. It was held in November in 2020 and 2021, and in March last year. The total prize money was $1 million last year but has increased significantly to $5 million this year. This is why many world-class players, including Lydia Ko, have participated.

Lydia Ko showed a strong start in her first tournament since getting married in December last year. She recorded eight birdies without a single bogey. This is her chance to reclaim the top spot after 1 year and 3 months since winning the Aramco Saudi Ladies International in November 2021.

Last year, Lydia Ko had her best year, winning three times on the U.S. LPGA Tour, sweeping the money list, Player of the Year, scoring average, CME Group Race, and most wins. She reclaimed the world No. 1 ranking for the first time in 5 years and 5 months since June 2017. After the season, she celebrated her marriage to Jung Joon, the only son of Jung Tae-young, Vice Chairman of Hyundai Card, at Myeongdong Cathedral in Jung-gu, Seoul.

KLPGA Tour member Hong Jeong-min is tied for third place, Lim Hee-jeong is tied for sixth place (6-under-par 66), and Kim Hyo-joo and Yoo Hae-ran are tied for eighth place (5-under-par 67), all starting comfortably. Danielle Kang (USA) is tied for 17th place (3-under-par 69), and Jeon In-ji is tied for 30th place (2-under-par 70).