Luna Sobrón (-7) has showcased exceptional golf on the first day of the Aramco Team Series by PIF Riyadh. The Spanish golfer delivered a scorecard of 65 strokes and has seized the tournament lead, tied with Pia Babnik (-7), winner of this same tournament in 2021, and Charley Hull (-7), one of the favourites for victory.
Beyond the result, marked by eight birdies and one bogey, and the privileged position in the standings, Luna can feel especially proud of the way she achieved it. Her game has come very close to perfection. She almost touched it. She hit twelve of the fourteen fairways and 17 of the 18 greens. In fact, the only green at the Riyadh Golf Club that escaped her resulted in a bogey.
This impressive start by Luna places her in a magnificent position to fight for victory. It is true that there is still a long way to go until the end of the contest, but it is equally true that the Aramco Team Series lasts 54 holes, so starting in this way gains a lot of ground.
Sobrón is the spearhead of a fabulous performance by the Armada. Carlota Ciganda (-6), second last year at this same event and on this same course, is just one stroke behind, after signing a sensational card with six birdies and no bogeys. Tied with the Navarrese are the German Moe Folke (-6) and the veteran Welsh Lydia Hall (-6). Let us remember that Carlota is pursuing her second victory in an Aramco Team Series in Arabia, as well as getting into the top 75 of the order of merit to qualify for the Spanish Open. We could say that for both, she is progressing well. One stroke further back is Helen Briem (-5), a golfer to watch closely as she has already amply demonstrated her enormous ability to win tournaments, having recently achieved victory at La Sella Open, Alicante.
Completing the great performance of the Spanish squad is the top 10 finish of Nuria Iturrioz (-4). The Mallorcan made six birdies and two bogeys for a splendid card of 68 strokes. She shares the spot with the English Liz Young, champion last Sunday in India, as well as Trichat Cheenglab, winner in 2023 of the LET order of merit. Just outside the top ten is María Hernández (-3), adding more fuel to the Armada’s fire. She signed for 69 strokes, with five birdies and two bogeys.
Further back, but also under par, are Carmen Alonso (-2) and Fátima Fernández Cano (-1), followed by Ana Peláez (PAR) and Marta Martín (+1). The downside of this first day was Marta Sanz (+7), who has been struggling for months.
The first day in Saudi lands has once again highlighted that the Riyadh Golf Club is a course where very low scores can be achieved. Last year it was won with -29 over three days, and this year, although it is not heading that way, it cannot be ruled out that it might reach -20 again. The most negative surprise at the start of the tournament is Patty Tavatanakit (+1), who, barring a miracle in the next 36 holes, is out of contention for victory.
