By GolfDigestME.com
The 2023 Aramco Saudi Ladies International will carry a massive $5 million purse, making it one of the richest events on the Ladies European Tour.
It is a five-fold increase next year, up from $1 million in 2022 when Georgia Hall took top spot at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in Jeddah.
The female golfers will now compete for equal prize money to the men in their own version of the Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers on the Asian Tour and the purse will be the third largest on the LET, offering a cheque for $750,000.
The increased prize money will start when the tournament takes place for the fourth consecutive year at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City on February 16-19, 2023, as part of a renewed agreement between the LET and Golf Saudi.
The tournament will assemble a world-class field of 120 competitors, comprising of the LET, the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings and sponsor invitations.
“The increased purse for the Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by PIF is a landmark moment for our Tour, and for women’s sport globally,” said LET CEO Alexandra Armas. “It will allow the tournament to grow in every way, from its purpose and impact on social change to the delivery of exceptional experiences for fans and for players at the event and in the community. This is a message to all young women that golf is for them, and they can pursue the sport as a passion and as a career.”
Since the inaugural Aramco Saudi Ladies International in 2020, thousands of Saudi women and girls have taken to the fairways across the country and committed to learning golf, aligning with the Kingdom’s wider ambitions under Vision2030, which aims to get more Saudis regularly active.
Golf Saudi Deputy Chairman and CEO Majed Al Sorour said: “After three successful years of the Aramco Saudi Ladies International, we are delighted to offer the women equal prize money to the men from 2023 as part of our ambitious plans to attract the world’s best players and inspire home grown talents.
2022 Aramco Saudi Ladies International Champion Georgia Hall. Tristan Jones/LET
“It’s hugely exciting to unveil a five-fold increase in the prize fund and this only highlights our desire to help to raise the profile of women’s golf further and give the players the rewards that they deserve. Golf Saudi is not only committed to providing life-changing prize funds for female golfers but also continuing to encourage females to get involved in the game of golf throughout the Kingdom. Since the first Aramco Saudi Ladies International – the Kingdom’s first ever professional women’s golf tournament – thousands of women across the country have registered to learn and play golf as part of the Ladies First Club.
“Showcasing the best female golfers in the world as role models is integral to the games growth and increasing participation numbers, as if females of the Kingdom can see it, they can be it. This is another important step on our journey to grow golf, and specifically women’s golf, throughout Saudi Arabia.”
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