The PIF Saudi Ladies International, the Ladies European Tour (LET) season opener with a $5 million purse (approximately 7.3 billion won), drew 19 Korean players to the field. Among them, 13 ranked within the world's top 100, while the remaining six were skilled players ranked within the top 200. Japan sent five players, four of whom were top-ranked players within the world's top 31.
A Korea-Japan showdown in women's golf was widely expected. However, on the tournament's opening day, only Hye-jin Choi and Akie Iwai of Japan were paired in the same group.
The dynamics shifted dramatically after the cut following the second round on February 12 (local time) at Riyadh Country Club (par 72) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Four Korean players and three Japanese players will now compete head-to-head in the same groups during the third round. Of the 15 Korean players who made the cut, four finished in the top 10, while all four Japanese players who advanced also placed within the top 10, setting the stage for a proper Korea-Japan battle in women's golf.
Yuna Yoon, who shot 4-under 68 in both rounds to sit tied for sixth at 8-under 136, will be paired with Rio Takeda of Japan, who is tied for fourth at 9-under 135. Carlota Ciganda of Spain, also tied for fourth, completes the group. All three compete on the LPGA Tour, promising an intriguing matchup.
Hye-jun Choi and Ji-won Ko, both tied for sixth, will play alongside Nasa Hataoka of Japan, also tied for sixth. Meanwhile, Hye-jin Choi, tied for sixth, will be paired with Akie Iwai of Japan for the third consecutive round in a Korea-Japan duel. Iwai is also tied for sixth. Manon De Roey of Belgium, also tied for sixth, rounds out the group.
One group will feature three Korean players exclusively. Min-sol Kim, Min-sun Kim VII, and Da-som Ma, all tied for 18th at 6-under 138, will play together in the third round.
Hyun-jo Yoo, the KLPGA's top-ranked player, Dong-eun Lee, the KLPGA's longest driver, and So-hyun Bae, another renowned long hitter on the KLPGA Tour, are all tied for 26th at 5-under 139 and looking to climb the leaderboard.
The final group of the third round comprises solo leader Mimi Rhodes of England at 11-under 133, alongside Chisato Iwai of Japan and Casandra Alexander of South Africa, both tied for second at 10-under 134.
Although no Korean players made the final group for the third round, Korea's women golfers are giving their all on moving day to secure a spot in the championship group on the final day.