Mimi Rhodes of England rode a 6-under-par 66 into the first-round lead of the Aramco Houston Championship on Friday in Pearland, Texas.
The tournament is part of the Ladies European Tour’s PIF Global Series, featuring a 36-hole team competition alongside 54 holes of individual stroke play.
The leading team after one round at Golfcrest Country Club was Team Boutier, led by major winner Celine Boutier of France.
With contributions from Boutier (70), Luna Sobron Galmes of Spain (68), Australia’s Maddison Hinson-Tolchard (71) and Argentina’s Magdalena Simmermacher (72), Team Boutier is 18-under 126. That was two shots ahead of Team Tan, captained by Singapore’s Shannon Tan and featuring American vet Danielle Kang.
As for Rhodes, her sterling round was a continuation of a strong rookie season. The 23-year-old has won three times on the LET and leads the LET Order of Merit race.
She made seven birdies and one bogey while coping with blisters on her feet and the overall hot conditions in the Houston area.
“It really helps playing with pain because it distracts you from everything,” Rhodes said. “The heat was tough to handle, but I was drinking water every hole. Overall, my game was really good, and my putting is back to where it is good. I was just playing my game out there and trying not to get heatstroke.”
The 4-under 68 by Sobron Galmes placed her in a four-way tie for second with fellow Spaniard Nuria Iturrioz, Malaysia’s Ashley Lau and the Netherlands’ Anne Van Dam.
Sobron Galmes had a strong start to the tournament despite her clubs being lost in transit early this week.
“I played really good, I feel really comfortable, and my caddie read the greens really well,” she said. “I was feeling full of confidence. On Monday, I lost my clubs, so I was playing with new clubs and I’m grateful Titleist and the companies could help me.
“I went to the course with no expectation as I didn’t know how the clubs would work, and that’s the key with golf is that you can’t plan anything. I think my putter was really good and my shots to the green.”
Nine players were tied at 3-under 69, including English star Charley Hull.
After Saturday’s second round, a winner in the team competition will be crowned while the field of 104 players is cut to the top 60 and ties before Sunday.
