Casandra Alexander dropped just a single shot on Wednesday in her opening international round of 2026 as she carded a five-under-par 67 in the first round of the Ladies European Tour’s PIF Saudi Ladies International.

It is also the season-opener for the LET at Riyadh Golf Club in the Saudi capital, and Alexander made six birdies – three on each nine as she ended the day in a share of sixth place.

She was three strokes off the lead, which was shared by Hye-Jin Choi of Korea and England’s Mimi Rhodes at eight-under. Choi made a bogey to go with her nine birdies, but Rhodes was bogey-free as the pair had a one-stroke lead over Japan’s Chizzy Iwai on seven-under.

“Clearly a lot went well for me today,” said Rhodes. “Having had so much time off over the winter break, I was a bit nervous at the start. I left a few putts short, but the game felt really solid.”

“I just took the day shot by shot, I felt my shots weren’t that good, but my putting was crazy. I made really long putts a few times. Every day, I feel a little better and more confident, so that’s why I feel I played well,” said Choi.

Two players were in a share of fourth place with Belgium’s Manon De Roey and Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit both on six-under-par. Six players were in a share of sixth place with Alexander” Korea’s Hyejun Park, Ireland’s Lauren Walsh, Thai pair Cholcheva Wongras and Trichat Cheenglab, as well as Spanish duo Carlota Ciganda and Carolina Chacarra all on five-under.

Paula Reto opened with a four-over-par 76.