Charlie Hull made a strong start to end his two-year world winless run by grabbing a share of the lead after the opening round of the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF, Riyadh.
The three-time winner on the Women’s European Tour, seeking her first world victory on the LPGA Tour since the Volunteers of America Classic in October 2022, shot a seven-under 65 at Riyadh Golf Club.
Hull opened with an eagle and six birdies in an impressive opening day to temporarily take him to eight, with only a bogey on the final hole of the day denying him an outright lead.
The 28-year-old shares first place with Slovenia’s Pia Babnik and Spain’s Luna Sobron Galmes, while Solheim Cup star Carlotta Siganda is tied for second with Wales’ Lydia Hall and Sweden’s Moa Folke.
Hull followed up with back-to-back birdies from the third, making eagle at the par five, and the Englishwoman birdied the seventh and ninth to move into 30th place.
He took advantage of the par-five 12th and followed up Pars’ run by birdieing the par-three 17th before falling to seven under when he failed to get up and down the green until the par-four.
“It was a little slow out there, but it was good fun,” Hull said. “It’s a lot of golf, so you can shoot 60 balls. I would try to shoot 58 if I could. I played well today and hit it pretty well. It was embarrassing for my last shot, it just hit.
“I hit a bit longer so that’s a bonus. I feel 100 percent fine. I’m just going to go out there (tomorrow) and try to make more birdies.”
Galms set the club’s opening target after eight birdies and a lone bogey in his opening-round 65, while Babnik matched his total, capping a flawless start with a birdie on the final hole.
Pia Babnik carded seven birdies in the opening round
“I just really loved playing,” Babnik said. “I was just waiting for all my practice to come together and today was the day. The course looks so wide open compared to last week in India. I love this place and I love playing here.”
In the team event, Chiara Tamburlini’s team of Mimi Rhodes, Anne-Charlotte Mora and amateur Teniel Chun hold a healthy five-shot lead, equaling the Aramco Team Series 18-hole record at 23 under.
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