Category: Ladies Tours

Charley Hull has taken the lead at the PIF Saudi Ladies International after firing an impressive seven-under 65 to set the clubhouse target at nineteen-under par on Thursday.

Hull’s round, featuring seven birdies, represents a commanding start to the tournament at Riyadh Golf Club. The Englishwoman will look to maintain her form throughout the weekend as the field continues play in one of the Ladies European Tour’s marquee events.

Strong International Field Assembled

The PIF Saudi Ladies International has attracted a world-class field for its 2026 edition. With prize money of $5 million—the largest purse outside of major championships on the Ladies European Tour—the tournament draws elite talent from across the professional game.

Defending champion Patty Tavatanakit headlines the competition, while fellow top contenders including Celine Boutier, Danielle Kang, and Amy Yang are in the field. The tournament serves as the season opener for the Ladies European Tour, setting the tone for the year ahead.

DACH Region Well-Represented

The German, Austrian, and Swiss contingent features prominently in Riyadh. Notable participants include Esther Henseleit, an official Golf Saudi ambassador, and Laura Funfstuck, fresh off her victory at the PIF London Championship in 2025.

Henseleit, along with fellow Germans Olivia Cowan, Helen Briem, Alexandra Försterling, and Leonie Harm, brings strong representation to the tournament. Austria’s Emma Spitz and Switzerland’s Chiara Tamburlini, Kim Metraux, and Albane Valenzuela round out the regional challenge. Tamburlini finished tied for eighth in the previous edition.

The tournament continues through Saturday at Riyadh Golf Club, with Hull’s performance establishing an early benchmark for the field to pursue.

Charley Hull fires a stunning 65 (-7) to set the clubhouse target on -19 🔥#PIFSaudiLadiesInternational pic.twitter.com/YKRWXilKtw

— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) February 14, 2026

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Alison Lee delivered a dramatic moment at the PIF Saudi Ladies International, holing out for an eagle that propelled her into a share of the lead at the Ladies European Tour event in Riyadh.

The American’s stunning stroke set the tone for what has developed into a compelling opening event of the 2026 season at Riyadh Golf Club. Lee’s return to competitive form marks an important moment for a player working to recapture her best golf following time away from the professional circuit.

Strong Field Assembled in Saudi Arabia

The PIF Saudi Ladies International continues to serve as a key showcase for elite women’s golf, featuring a field stacked with major champions and tour regulars. The £3.4 million purse—one of the largest outside major championships—underscores the tournament’s significance on the international calendar.

Players from the LPGA Tour have been joined by leading figures from European golf, creating a genuinely global competition. The event provides valuable ranking points toward the Official World Golf Ranking, adding weight to the competition.

DACH Region Well-Represented

The German contingent brings considerable depth to the field, with Esther Henseleit competing as a Golf Saudi ambassador alongside Laura Funfstuck, winner of the PIF London Championship in 2025. Olivia Cowan, Helen Briem, Alexandra Försterling, and Leonie Harm round out the German representation.

Austria’s Emma Spitz competes alongside Swiss players Chiara Tamburlini, Kim Metraux, and Albane Valenzuela, giving Central Europe a strong showing in the Saudi capital.

The tournament runs through February 14 in Riyadh, with the competition continuing to intensify as the field battles for one of the season’s most valuable titles.

EAGLE HOLE-OUT 🦅

Alison Lee has her clubs back and produces a stunner to join the lead 👀#PIFSaudiLadiesInternational pic.twitter.com/e25NCfB0bu

— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) February 13, 2026

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The Ladies European Tour kicked off its season in style this week at the PIF Saudi Ladies International in Riyadh, where Carlota Ciganda delivered one of the tournament’s most memorable moments with a casual ace that had galleries buzzing.

The Spanish golfer’s hole-in-one came during competition at Riyadh Golf Club, showcasing the kind of precise shotmaking that defines elite women’s professional golf. With a purse of 5 million USD—the largest in Ladies European Tour history outside of major championships—the tournament attracted the world’s best female competitors.

Elite Field Convenes in Saudi Arabia

Defending champion Patty Tavatanakit returned to defend her title, joined by a stellar field including Charley Hull, Celine Boutier, Danielle Kang, and Amy Yang. The event marks a significant moment for professional women’s golf, with the tournament serving as the season opener for many competitors.

The DACH region sent a strong contingent to compete. Germany’s Esther Henseleit, who serves as a Golf Saudi ambassador, was joined by fellow German players Laura Funfstuck—the 2025 PIF London Championship winner—Olivia Cowan, Helen Briem, Alexandra Försterling, and Leonie Harm. Austria contributed Emma Spitz, while Switzerland’s entries included Chiara Tamburlini, Kim Metraux, and Albane Valenzuela.

Growing Investment in Women’s Golf

The tournament represents continued investment in women’s professional golf, with significant prize money reflecting the sport’s increasing commercial appeal. Ciganda’s ace exemplified the level of skill on display, adding to the spectacle of a competition that continues to elevate the profile of women’s professional golf internationally.

The season is now in full swing across multiple tours, with PGA Tour events, LIV Golf League competitions, and Champions Tour action competing for attention across the professional landscape.

HOLE-IN-ONE TO WIN A CAR! 😮

Carlota Ciganda with the most casual ace you’ll ever see 😂#PIFSaudiLadiesInternational pic.twitter.com/ZiWivEBkGJ

— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) February 11, 2026

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The golf calendar this week, February 10-16, 2026, brings high-profile action across multiple tours and continents, with Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy among the headliners competing at the season’s premier events.

Pebble Beach and LIV Golf Adelaide Lead the Week

The PGA Tour‘s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am begins February 12 at Pebble Beach Golf Links in California, offering $20 million in prize money with the winner receiving $3.6 million. Scheffler, the world number one, will face defending champion McIlroy, along with in-form Chris Gotterup, who has notched two victories in three weeks following wins at the Sony Open and Phoenix Open. Justin Rose, fresh from his Farmers Insurance Open victory, also headlines the field.

The tournament represents the first Signature Event of the season and features the traditional celebrity pro-am format, with notable participants including Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce. German representatives Stephan Jäger and Matti Schmid will compete, with Jäger finishing tied-seventh last year. Austria’s Sepp Straka, a four-time PGA Tour winner, aims for a strong showing after a similar finish in 2025.

Meanwhile, the LIV Golf League moves to The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide, Australia, for LIV Golf Adelaide, running February 12-15. The $30 million event marks the league’s first tournament offering Official World Golf Ranking points. Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau headline a field seeking to dethrone defending champion Joaquin Niemann. The Ripper GC team, buoyed by Elvis Smylie’s remarkable debut victory in Riyadh last week at age 23, will compete on home soil with teammates Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman, and Lucas Herbert.

Champions Tour and International Action

The PGA Tour Champions hosts the Chubb Classic in Naples, Florida, February 13-15, where Bernhard Langer pursues his sixth title at the event. The 68-year-old German veteran holds 47 career Champions Tour victories, a tour record, and sits one Chubb Classic win away from equaling his own tournament record of six titles. Justin Leonard defends, while fellow past champions Davis Love III and Darren Clarke compete for the $1.8 million purse. Germany’s Alex Cejka, 55, also features in the field.

The Ladies European Tour opens its season with the PIF Saudi Ladies International at Riyadh Golf Club, February 11-14, a $5 million event—the largest on the calendar outside major championships. Defending champion Patty Tavatanakit returns to face Charley Hull, Celine Boutier, and Amy Yang. Germany’s Laura Funfstuck, who captured the PIF London Championship in 2025, leads a strong contingent of DACH representatives including Esther Henseleit, who serves as a Golf Saudi ambassador. Helen Briem, newly competing on the LPGA Tour in 2026, also appears in the field alongside Olivia Cowan, Alexandra Försterling, and Leonie Harm. Austria’s Emma Spitz and Switzerland’s Chiara Tamburlini, Albane Valenzuela, and Kim Metraux round out the regional presence.

Carlota Ciganda’s ace this week highlighted the competitive spirit evident across all competition levels. Her hole-in-one marked the season’s first for the professional circuit, capturing the kind of individual brilliance that defines tournament golf.

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