Choi Hyejin Fires 8 Under Par... "A Good Start"

Tied for lead with Rhodes after round 1 of Saudi International
Park Hyejun in 6th, Yoon Yina and Yoo Hyunjoh tied for 13th
Lee Somi 41st, Bang Shinsil 58th, Yang Heeyoung 72nd

Choi Hyejin caught fire in Saudi Arabia.

On February 11 at Riyadh Golf Club (par 72) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, she carded nine birdies and one bogey in the first round of the Ladies European Tour (LET) 2026 season opener, the Public Investment Fund Saudi Ladies International, which has a total purse of 5 million dollars. Firing an 8-under-par 64, Choi surged to the top of the leaderboard. Mimi Rhodes of England also joined her in a tie for the lead.

Choi Hyejin is teeing off in the 1st round of the Public Investment Fund Saudi Ladies International. Provided by Ladies European Tour

Starting on the 10th hole (par 4), Choi collected six birdies on the front nine alone to go 6 under. On the back nine, she continued her birdie run at holes 2, 6, and 7, before making a bogey on the final 9th hole (par 4).

Choi made her debut on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour in 2018 and captured nine career victories there before moving to the LPGA Tour in 2023. Although she has yet to win over three seasons through last year, she has recorded 29 top-10 finishes in total.

Among the Korean players, Park Hyejun is in 6th place at 5-under-par 67, while Yoon Yina, Yoo Hyunjo, Kim Minseon, Ko Jiwon, and Lee Chaeun are tied for 13th at 4-under-par 68. Kim Minsol, Bae Sohyun, and Ma Dasom are tied for 26th at 3-under-par 69; Lee Somi and Hong Jeongmin are tied for 41st at 2-under-par 70; and Bang Shinsil and Lee Dongun are tied for 58th at 1-under-par 71. Yang Heeyoung did not manage to go under par and is tied for 72nd at even-par 72.