Pedersen and Hall share lead ahead of final round in Saudi

Denmark’s Emily Kristine Pedersen and Lydia Hall of Wales go head-to-head in today’s final round of the inaugural $1 million Aramco Saudi Ladies International.

Pedersen, the overnight leader by two strokes, birdied the final hole for a round of 71, while Hall shot 69 as both players sit 10 under par at the Royal Green Golf and Country Club. A stroke behind them is England’s major winner Georgia Hall after a round of 69.

Sharing fourth spot a further two shots behind are Celine Herbin of France and Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist.

“I am really satisfied to still be in the lead after today, I was a little all over the place, hit some really awful tee shots and it is hard to score when you are not in the fairway,” Pedersen said. “I kept grinding out there, I still hit 16 greens in regulation, but they are just not close enough.”

Pedersen, 24, started the day with a birdie on the first hole but bogeyed the eighth. She sank a second birdie on the 13th but bogeyed the 15th, before clinching a third birdie on the last to join Hall.

“I hit it 60 yards offline on the right on the 18th and laid up to 100 yards, which is the sort of wedge shot I like,” she said. “My caddie told me to go for the centre of the green but I ended up going straight at the pin, a little close to the water, but I managed to make the putt and breathe again.”

Lydia Hall raced into the lead with a superb front nine where she carded four birdies.

Hall, 32, began the back nine with a fifth birdie on the 11th but bogeyed the next two before finishing the remaining holes on par.