El Tenerife Women’s Open 2025 experienced a vibrant opening day this Thursday with an excellent level of golf on the grass of Abama Golf, in a first round that delivered spectacle, birdies, and a shared lead between two unexpected names on the tour.
In the morning, Danish player Sofie Kibsgaard Nielsen was the first to set the pace with a sensational scorecard of 67 strokes (-5). She started strong with a birdie on the 1st hole and, after a stumble on the 4th, she linked an almost perfect round, with 17 greens in regulation. She added birdies on the 7th, 11th, 13th, 17th, and 18th to place herself at the top of the leaderboard. The Dane, who won three titles in the LET Access Series in 2023 and claimed the Order of Merit, felt very comfortable on a course that rewards tactical play and precise iron shots.
In the afternoon session, it was Irish player Lauren Walsh who matched the best round of the day with a flawless round of 67 strokes without bogeys. Birdies on the 10th and 18th in the first nine holes marked a solid start, and in the second half, she added three more birdies on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th to close a round that confirms her excellent form. The Dublin player, still without victories in the LET, positions herself as a serious contender for the title in her quest for the first trophy.
Behind them, just one stroke away, was English player Eleanor Givens (-4), thanks to an intelligent and seamless round. With five birdies and only two bogeys, she signed a solid scorecard of 68 and demonstrated her ability to compete for her first victory on the tour.
Spanish golf rose to the occasion, with seventeen representatives in the field and several in prominent positions after the first day. Marta Martín, recent winner of the Tipsport Czech Ladies Open in 2024, was the best Spanish player of the day with a round of 70 strokes (-2) that places her in tied sixth position with eleven other players. “I came with quite a bit of uncertainty due to a neck injury, but this week at home has helped me regain my sensations. Today I enjoyed it a lot, I found myself again on the course, and everything flowed. The course is demanding, and the greens make you think about every shot. You have to be in the right zone, or you can end up with two or three putts without realizing it,” explained the Madrid native, visibly moved to compete in a tournament of this level on Spanish soil. “Being able to play here in Tenerife, surrounded by my family, in this environment, is an immense fortune. I feel supported, and that also pushes me.”
One stroke behind her, with -1, were Ana Peláez and Blanca Fernández, who showed solidity from the tee and good control of the greens to finish within the top-20. Mimi Rhodes, leader of the Order of Merit, signed -2, while Luna Sobrón and María Hernández finished at par, staying close to the leading positions.
Meanwhile, Harang Lee and Clara Moyano (+2), along with Carmen Alonso, Amaia Latorre, Emma Cabrera-Bello, and Marta Sanz (+3), will seek to improve their rounds tomorrow to move closer to the leading positions and make the cut in a decisive day.
Around the Green
World Environment Day: Golf and Sustainability at the Heart of Tenerife
This 5th of June, coinciding with the first official day of the Tenerife Women’s Open, World Environment Day is celebrated, a very significant date for a tournament held on an island and a course fully committed to sustainability.
Abama Golf, within the Abama Resort Tenerife complex, has developed in recent years a management model that is committed to respecting the environment. The course director, Brendan Breen, valued their involvement: “Everyone at Abama has a real commitment to sustainability. On the course, we use natural phytosanitary products made in our own factory, and all the water comes from our desalination or treatment plant, water that we use to avoid touching a drop of the water that goes to homes. We are also applying satellite programs to further reduce water use. On an island with limited resources, all courses —including Abama— are doing their part to care for the environment. We are proud to host this event on a 100% sustainable course.”
Sustainability is integrated into all aspects of the tournament. Turismo de Tenerife, the main promoter of the event, reinforces its commitment to a more respectful tourism model with this event, positioning the island as a quality destination, with a diverse, sustainable, and accessible golf offer all year round.
Mimi Rhodes, Hole-in-One on the 7th and Firm Contender for the Title
English player Mimi Rhodes, undisputed favourite this week and current leader of the LET Order of Merit, made the first hole-in-one of the tournament on the par 3 of the 7th hole. With a round of 70 strokes (-2), she remains in prominent positions just three strokes off the lead.
Rhodes arrives in Tenerife after having won three tournaments this season and is undoubtedly one of the players to watch over the weekend. Her consistent performance and talent place her as a firm contender to lift the trophy this Sunday at Abama Golf.
