England’s Mimi Rhodes shot a three-under-par 69 to take the outright lead after the second round of the PIF Saudi Ladies International.
The 24-year-old made birdies on the 10th, 13th, first and second holes, with the only blemish on her scorecard a bogey on the 16th, to reach 11 under overall .
The 2025 Ladies European Tour rookie of the year is a stroke clear of South Africa’s Casandra Alexander and Japan’s Chizzy Iwai at Riyadh Golf Club.
Spain’s Carlota Ciganda and Japan’s Rio Takeda are one shot further back in a tie for fourth place.
South Korea’s Choi Hye-jin , who was alongside Rhodes at the top of the leaderboard after an opening 64, is among eight players on eight under.
“I wasn’t putting too much pressure on myself this week, but it’s obviously a big event,” said Rhodes.
“I wanted to do well and start with a cut made and I’ve done more than that. I won’t approach the weekend any differently.
“I’ll get back into the zone, I will take it one shot at a time make birdies out there with minimum bogeys and see what happens.”
Two of Rhodes’ compatriots – Esme Hamilton and world number five Charley Hull – are well-placed at seven under.
This is the first year an LET season has opened with the tournament in Riyadh. Players are competing for a record prize fund of more than 40m euros (£34.5m) across the 2026 campaign.
