Lydia Ko won the Saudi Arabia tournament in 2021. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
World number one Lydia Ko is tied at the top of the leaderboard after the first round of the Saudi Ladies International golf tournament, her first event of the year.
Six of the top ten players are competing the European tour event which has had a five fold increase in prizemoney to match the men's tournament which took place at the Royal Greens club in King Abdullah Economic City, around 100 km north of Jeddah.
Ko rolled in eight birdies for a bogey-free round to post an eight under par round of 64 as she chases the winner's purse of $1.2 million.
"I knew that between today and tomorrow that today was the day to take advantage of the calmer conditions," said the 2021 champion.
"When I came here in November the wind picked up in the afternoon. At this time of the year and with the forecast, it's only going to be stronger and probably some of the strongest winds I've seen out here," Ko said.
"With some of the pin positions I needed to be a little bit more aggressive. All in all, I putted really well out there. Most of the opportunities I had I was able to take advantage of that, it was that kind of a day and a nice start to the season. It's cool to see I have an officially under-par round as a Mrs."
Ko rolled in four birdies on her front and four birdies on her back nine to pick up where she left off in 2021.
Lydia Ko. Photo: Photosport
The two-time Major champion felt she was able to take advantage of the calmer conditions, while also being very pleased with her putting.
"I think there are plenty of holes, especially when the wind is calmer, that you can reach a couple of par-fives and be a little bit more aggressive to pin positions," she said.
"The wind is such a big factor on this golf course, so when it's playing to your advantage you kind of want to use that.
"I felt really confident with the putter today, so that when I didn't hit the green I wasn't too stressed about it and felt like I could make up and down."
Thailand's Anannarukarn also had an strong start to be tied alongside Ko after day one starting her round with four consecutive birdies before dropping a shot on 17.
One eagle, four birdies and a bogey on her back nine, ensured Anannarukarn's place at the top of the standings on eight-under-par.
-RNZ