Leonie Harm and Kim Metraux start strong at the LET finale, while Soenderby and Cheenglab lead the field.
The season-ending event of the Ladies European Tour (LET), the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España, teed off on Thursday at the Real Guadalhorce Club de Golf in Málaga, Spain. Alongside the tournament title, the Order of Merit crown is also on the line. Singapore’s Shannon Tan, currently leading the season-long ranking, finished the opening round at one-under-par, tied for 25th. England’s Mimi Rhodes, second in the Order of Merit, also carded a one-under to join Tan at T25.
At the top of the leaderboard, Denmark’s Smilla Tarning Soenderby and Thailand’s Trichat Cheenglab both fired bogey-free rounds of 66, each recording seven birdies. Close behind in third place are France’s Celine Herbin and Spain’s Luna Sobron Galmes, both with 67s. Herbin made an eagle on the 5th hole and added three birdies, while Galmes posted five birdies in a clean round.
Strong start for Kim Metraux and Leonie Harm
Switzerland’s Kim Metraux and Germany’s Leonie Harm both opened with solid 68s, placing them in a tie for fifth with four other players. Metraux made two birdies on the front nine and added three more on the back, offset by a single bogey. Harm also birdied twice on the front but dropped a shot on the 8th. She bounced back with three birdies on the back nine to finish bogey-free. Harm remains 30th in the Order of Merit, while Metraux climbs to 39th.
Leaderboard of the LET season finale
Germany’s Helen Briem, who started the week 8th in the Order of Merit, improved her standing to 7th after a 71 on Thursday, placing her T25. Olivia Cowan shot even par to finish T34 and moved up to 78th in the season rankings.
Mixed results for German players
Other German players had a tougher start. Alexandra Försterling shot 73 and sits T45, while Patricia Isabel Schmidt is T49 after a two-over round. Laura Fünfstück struggled with six bogeys and two birdies, ending the day in 71st place. Fortunately, there is no cut at the final event. Fünfstück remains 22nd in the Order of Merit.