Suzann Pettersen marked her first round on the Ladies European Tour in four years with an even-par 72 at the Aramco Korea Championship, while England's Lily May Humphreys earned a share of second place. The 45-year-old Norwegian retired after sinking the winning putt for Team Europe in the 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles, and her only appearance since then came at the 2022 Aramco Team Series event in Jeddah. Pettersen, who captained Europe at the 2023 and 2024 Solheim Cups, was three over after six holes in South Korea, bogeying the third and double bogeying the sixth.
The two-time major winner rallied with birdies at eight, 13 and 15, picking up a shot at the last of those holes with a monster putt, and went bogey-free on her back nine. Humphreys, who won her sole Ladies European Tour title at the 2023 Joburg Ladies Open, carded a five-under 67 to sit one shot behind leader Patricie Mackova. The 24-year-old also dropped shots at three and six, but registered five birdies and an eagle at the par-five 13th. She said: "I had quite a lot of good fortune go my way which you need around here to shoot a low number. The course doesn't give you anything."
There have been four English winners on the Ladies European Tour in 2026, including Charley Hull, Esme Hamilton, Eleanor Givens and Charlotte Heath. Czechia's Mackova equalled the course record set by Seojin Park in 2025 as she carded the lowest round of her career. She wore green to raise awareness around sustainability as part of the Eco Athletes organisation, explaining that she and her fellow athletes wanted to see change for future generations.
Round two of the Aramco Korea Championship is live on Sky Sports Mix and Sky Sports+ from 5.30am on Friday, with coverage also on Sky Sports Golf from 8am.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing