Mimi Rhodes is stealing the show at the Saudi Ladies International, but is this just the beginning of her dominance?
England's Mimi Rhodes has surged to the outright lead at the halfway point of the PIF Saudi Ladies International, showcasing a remarkable performance. After the second round, the 24-year-old sensation carded a three-under-par 69, propelling her to the top of the leaderboard. Her impressive round was a tapestry of birdies on the 10th, 13th, first, and second holes, with only a single bogey on the 16th marring an otherwise flawless display. This stellar play has brought her overall score to an impressive 11 under par.
Rhodes, who is set to be a rookie of the year contender on the Ladies European Tour in 2025, now holds a slender one-stroke advantage over her closest rivals. South Africa's Casandra Alexander and Japan's Chizzy Iwai are hot on her heels, both sitting at 10 under par. Just a single shot further back, in a tie for fourth place, are Spain's Carlota Ciganda and Japan's Rio Takeda.
But here's where it gets interesting... Choi Hye-jin from South Korea, who shared the lead with Rhodes after an outstanding opening round of 64, is now part of a significant group of eight players all sitting at eight under par. This cluster of talent means the competition is far from over, and the weekend promises intense drama.
Rhodes herself shared her thoughts on her performance, stating, "I wasn't putting too much pressure on myself this week, but it's obviously a big event." She continued, "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." Her calm and focused approach is certainly paying dividends.
And this is the part most people miss... Among the chasing pack, two of Rhodes' fellow English golfers are also in strong contention. Esme Hamilton and the highly-ranked world number five Charley Hull are both well-positioned at seven under par, demonstrating the depth of talent within the English contingent.
This year marks a significant moment for the Ladies European Tour, as the season is opening with this tournament in Riyadh for the first time. The stakes are higher than ever, with players competing for a record-breaking prize fund of over 40 million euros (approximately £34.5 million) across the entire 2026 campaign. This substantial prize money undoubtedly adds an extra layer of pressure and excitement to every shot.
What do you think? Is Mimi Rhodes on track to secure a commanding victory, or will one of the strong contenders like Choi Hye-jin or Charley Hull make a late charge? Could this be the start of a new era of dominance for Rhodes? Let us know your predictions in the comments below!
