Riyadh hosts the Saudi Golf Championship

Weather of Arabia - Riyadh Golf Club is preparing, for the first time, to host the Saudi International Championship competitions, presented by the “Public Investment Fund” and sponsored by “Soft Bank Investment Consulting,” with total prizes amounting to $5 million, during the period from December 4 to 7. ) next.

This tournament represents the highly anticipated end of the season for both the Asian Tour and the International Series, and will be held for the first time in Riyadh after five successful years at the Royal Greens Golf Club in King Abdullah Economic City in Jeddah.

Riyadh Golf Club

Founded in 2005, Riyadh Golf Club is considered one of the best golf courses in the capital. The championship course features a par-72 course, extending across 7,434 yards of undulating fairways, and has hosted several national championships, including the Saudi Open presented by the Public Investment Fund. The Aramco Riyadh Team Series, and the Saudi Aramco International Women’s Championship.

On the players side, some prominent names have been confirmed to participate in next December’s event, including defending champion Abraham Unser, 2022 champion Harold Varner III, 2019 and 2021 winner Dustin Johnson, and 2022 Open Championship winner Cameron Smith. Smith, who was runner-up to Unser in 2023, commented:

“I'm really excited to visit Riyadh for the first time. There are so many great sporting facilities in the city, and we've heard a lot of good things about the championship course at Riyadh Golf Club. I think the design and reputation will provide a real test against a group of world-class players.”

With the move to the end of the season, the tournament has become an established event on the world golf stage, increasing its profile. For the first time this year, the tournament will end on Saturday to coincide with the weekend in the Kingdom, where players will compete for the $1 million first prize, the most prestigious on the Asian Tour.

The tournament is the final of 10 high-profile events on the Asian Tour calendar, and provides a direct pathway for players from around the world to join the LEAF Golf League, with the winner of the International Series standings at the end of the season earning a place on the LEAF roster. Golf” for the year 2025.

2023 saw more than 30 players qualify for the LEAF Golf promotions event, with three additional players qualifying for the league. This year, the Saudi International Championship presented by the Public Investment Fund and sponsored by SoftBank Investment Consulting will be the last opportunity for players to qualify for the LEAF Golf Promotions event and thus participate in the league in 2025.

In addition, the 2024 Asian Tour champion will secure a top-four spot in the IBF Rankings, the system adopted by the PGA Tour and The Open.

For his part, Noah Ali Reda, CEO of Golf Saudi Arabia, said:

“We are pleased that we will hold this prestigious event at the Riyadh Golf Club.” He added: “Securing this important date and placing it as the conclusion of the Asian Tour and the International Championship Series increases the importance of the Saudi International Championship presented by the Public Investment Fund and sponsored by (Softbank Investment Consulting), as we see that Its status evolves with each edition.”

In a related context, Cho Min Thant, Commissioner and CEO of the Asia Tour, said:

“This new date gives the Saudi International Championship presented by the Public Investment Fund, and sponsored by (SoftBank Investment Consulting), the main and prominent position it deserves as the pinnacle of the season.”

He stressed his belief that the Riyadh Golf Club will provide an excellent stage to highlight the tournament, and with so much at stake, it should represent a dramatic end to the 2024 season.

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Sources:

aawsat