The Ladies European Tour is heating up with a thrilling performance by England's rising star, Mimi Rhodes! In a stunning display of skill and precision, Rhodes took the lead at the halfway mark of the prestigious Saudi Ladies International.
With a remarkable three-under-par 69 in the second round, the 24-year-old Rhodes showcased her talent. She birdied the 10th, 13th, 1st, and 2nd holes, with only a single bogey on the 16th marring her near-perfect scorecard. This impressive performance put her at 11 under par overall, a stroke ahead of her competitors.
But here's where it gets exciting: Rhodes, the 2025 Ladies European Tour Rookie of the Year, is now in a prime position to claim her first major victory. She leads South Africa's Casandra Alexander and Japan's Chizzy Iwai by a slim margin at the Riyadh Golf Club. And this is the part most people miss—the significance of this tournament's location. This is the first time an LET season has kicked off in Riyadh, with players vying for an unprecedented prize fund of over 40 million euros!
Spain's Carlota Ciganda and Japan's Rio Takeda are not far behind, tied for fourth place. Meanwhile, South Korea's Choi Hye-jin, who shared the top spot with Rhodes after the first round, has slipped to eight under par, tied with seven other players.
Rhodes, known for her calm demeanor, shared her thoughts: 'I'm keeping a level head, but this is a significant tournament.' She continued, 'I aimed to make the cut, and now I'm in a great position. My strategy for the weekend remains the same: focus on each shot, make those birdies, and keep the bogeys to a minimum.'
Adding to the drama, two of Rhodes' fellow English players, Esme Hamilton and world number five Charley Hull, are also in contention at seven under par. Will this be a historic win for Rhodes, or will her competitors rise to the challenge?
The stage is set for an exciting conclusion, and the golf world is buzzing with anticipation. What do you think will happen? Will Rhodes hold on to her lead, or is there a surprise comeback in store? Share your predictions in the comments below!
