Germany’s Laura Fuenfstueck and Alexandra Swayne of the US Virgin Islands excelled in glorious scoring conditions at Centurion Club on Friday as they carded 6-under-par rounds of 67 to set the first-round pace at the PIF London Championship, the third stop in this season’s PIF Global Series.
They both scored an eagle at the first hole as well as five birdies to lead by one shot from Switzerland’s Chiara Tamburlini and Spain’s Carlota Ciganda, who had looked set to join the leaders until the Golf Saudi ambassador recorded a three-putt bogey at 16th.
ENGLISH PLAYERS
A group of five players lie a further shot back on 4-under in the Golf Saudi-backed event, including a trio of English players Mimi Rhodes, Cara Gainer and Charlotte Laffar.
Fuenfstueck’s superlative 67 helped Team Nadaud, headed by skipper Nastasia Nadaud of France, take the first day honours with a total of -18, two shots clear of the quartet led by South Africa’s Casandra Alexander.
Alexandra Swayne, whose home nation has no golf courses due to hurricane damage and has often been forced to practise in a field near her home, said some of her good round was down to luck.
“I was just seeing shots and hitting them, and I was actually getting quite lucky out there. You always have to be lucky to have a good round, no matter who you are, which golfer, which golf course you play.”
Germany’s Fuenfstueck, who has recorded 18 top-10 finishes on the Ladies European Tour but that first win still remains elusive, said she and her team had put in a lot of practise after a mixed time at the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl last week.
“I think today I had a few moments where I’d probably call myself a little bit lucky. think there was obviously a lot that went really well last week. We spent three days with my coach here, which has been really helpful. Long term, that’s going to be important because we’re figuring out what’s key to my game.”
OTHER CONTENDERS
Ciganda was the standout performer of the Golf Saudi ambassadors on show with Germany’s Olivia Cowan and Celine Boutier of France both still in strong contention after opening 2-under rounds of 71, with Anne Van Dam of the Netherlands a further shot behind on 1-under.
Big crowds were in attendance as the sun shone and many were taking part in the activities on site including Go Golf clinics which are focused on encouraging newcomers into the game.
Golf Saudi’s strategic leadership places the support and empowerment of women golfers at its heart, providing outstanding playing opportunities for the world’s best and introducing the sport to new players and beginners across the world with a range of activities and campaigns.
It is focused on strengthening the golfing ecosystem in Saudi Arabia, driving mass participation in the sport and promoting the Kingdom as a rising golfing, tourism and investment hub.
TICKET DETAILS
Tickets for the 2025 PIF London Championship are still available and can be purchased at www.pif-london.tixr.com
For more information on the PIF Global Series and the upcoming PIF London Championship please visit: www.pifglobalseries.com
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