The four-day championship will feature a powerhouse 120-player field competing under a high-intensity, pure individual stroke play format for a share of a $2 million prize fund, alongside crucial Rolex World Golf Ranking and LET Order of Merit points.

As the organiser of the event, Golf Saudi continues to play a leading role in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future for golf by delivering world-class tournaments that elevate competition, expand media visibility, and attract commercial investment that supports the long-term growth of the game worldwide.

Now returning to Centurion Club for its sixth consecutive year, the tournament has become a cornerstone of Golf Saudi’s strategy to drive the development of women’s professional golf, create greater opportunities for players, and contribute to the evolution of the sport on an international scale.

Charley Hull – 2026 PIF Saudi Ladies International – LET / Golf Saudi

“Competing in London always brings special energy, and Centurion Club is a course that challenges every part of your game. It’s been exciting to see the continued growth of the PIF Global Series, from the great venues we compete at to the global platform the events now have. With so many of the world’s top players in the field, winning here takes something truly special and is a big deal,” Charley Hull.

Centurion Club’s demanding routing, transitioning from tight, pine-forested opening holes to sweeping, exposed woodland stretches, has historically provided the ultimate test for the game’s finest tacticians. With the field cutting to the top 60 professionals and ties after 36 holes, the tournament promises a thrilling, high-stakes weekend showcase of individual excellence.

Central to this year’s championship is the continued commitment of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the investment engine driving the economic and social transformation of Saudi Arabia. Through the PIF Global Series, the fund serves as a pivotal catalyst for the international growth of women’s professional sports, leveraging strategic investments to bridge global sports ecosystems and foster long-term, sustainable development for elite athletes worldwide.

Beyond the ropes, the championship experience has been elevated to mirror the premium trajectory of the series. Golf Saudi will be hosting a signature grassroots initiative, including interactive youth development zones, to cultivate a vibrant, inclusive future for the next generation of golf athletes across the world. Be part of a landmark moment for women’s professional sports.

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READ: Golf Travel Guide 2026

The arrival of Wells as Golf Course Superintendent and Samonte as Assistant Golf Course Superintendent marks the next chapter in the evolution of Shura Links, Saudi Arabia’s first island golf course, as the destination continues to build its reputation for exceptional playing conditions and a premier golfing destination at The Red Sea.

Harry Wells – Shura Links

Wells joins Shura Links from Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, where he served as Golf Course Superintendent and oversaw the maintenance and presentation of one of the Middle East’s most prestigious golfing venues. Originally from Hertfordshire, England, Wells grew up in the industry, inspired by his father who spent many years as a golf course manager in the United Kingdom.

Dubai Creek Resort, Dubai, UAE

Harry Wells built his experience at leading golf facilities across the UK, Australia, and the United States before joining Dubai Golf in 2020. After moving to Dubai Creek as Assistant Superintendent, he was promoted to Golf Course Superintendent in 2022 and later oversaw preparations for a DP World Tour event.

“Shura Links is a truly unique golf destination, and the opportunity to oversee agronomic operations at Saudi Arabia’s first island golf course is both an exciting challenge and a responsibility. Our focus will be on continuing to deliver exceptional playing conditions, developing the team, and implementing sustainable practices that support the long-term success of the facility. I look forward to working closely with Pat [Samonte] and the wider team as we continue to enhance the golf experience for our guests.”

Patrick Samonte – Shura Links

Joining Wells is highly respected turf professional Pat Samonte, who brings more than 16 years of experience in golf course construction, irrigation management, and course operations. 

Al Mouj Golf Course, Muscat, Oman

Samonte began his career at Port Royal Golf Course in Bermuda, where he played a key role during the renovation and grow-in phase before being appointed Lead Irrigation Technician. Since 2011, he has been part of the team at Al Mouj Golf in Oman, initially serving as Irrigation Foreman during the construction of the acclaimed Greg Norman-designed course before being promoted to Assistant Golf Course Superintendent in 2022.

Throughout his career, Samonte has developed a wealth of expertise in irrigation systems, agronomic programmes, staff development, course renovations, and operational management.

He has also contributed to the successful delivery of several international tournaments, including events on the DP World Tour and the Asian Tour’s The International Series.

Jon Brook – General Manager Shura Links

General Manager at Shura Links, Jon Brook said: “Harry and Pat bring an outstanding combination of leadership, technical expertise and international experience to Shura Links. Both have built impressive careers at some of the industry’s most respected golf facilities and have demonstrated a commitment to excellence throughout their professional journeys.

“Their appointments reinforce our ambition to attract top talent and continue building a team capable of supporting the long-term success of Shura Links as a leading golf destination in the Kingdom.”

Designed by Brian Curley and located on Shura Island at The Red Sea, the course combines a distinctive coastal links experience with Red Sea Global’s commitment to regenerative tourism and environmental stewardship.

The appointments of Wells and Samonte solidify Shura Links’ commitment to delivering exceptional playing conditions, sustainable course management practices, and a world-class golf experience for guests from around the world.

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Golf Saudi partners with Five Iron Golf, announces multiple locations in Saudi Arabia

Developed in partnership with Golf Saudi, Five Iron Riyadh features structured programming, including Five Iron’s indoor golf league, along with beginner clinics, women’s programming and junior instruction. Beyond golf, the venue includes a full-service bar and kitchen and flexible event spaces.

Noah Alireza, CEO of Golf Saudi & Jared Solomon, Co-Founder and CEO of Five Iron Golf

“I have been deeply impressed by both the pace of development and the scale of the vision for the future of golf in Saudi Arabia,” said Jared Solomon, co-founder and CEO of Five Iron Golf. “What Golf Saudi is building is extraordinarily ambitious, and I believe it represents one of the most exciting growth opportunities in global golf today. We are seeing a fundamental shift in golf, where growth is no longer driven solely by elite competition, but by building the infrastructure and access points that bring more people into the game. Five Iron Riyadh is designed to be a part of that foundation, helping put clubs in people’s hands, creating new pathways into the sport, and supporting long-term participation.”

The Riyadh opening marks the first step in a broader multi-unit partnership between Five Iron Golf and Golf Saudi, with additional locations expected to open.

“Five Iron is an important addition to the golf ecosystem we are building in Saudi Arabia,” said Thomas Rudy, chief investment officer of Golf Saudi. “We are making significant, long-term investments to grow the game at every level, from grassroots participation to elite competition, with a clear focus on building one of the most dynamic and accessible golf ecosystems in the world. That means creating new formats, expanding access, and introducing modern, year-round ways for people to engage with the sport. As we continue to invest in the future of golf across the Kingdom, our focus is not only on developing world-class championship venues, but on building the infrastructure and participation base that will define the next era of the game. Five Iron’s model, combining technology, hospitality, instruction, and community, plays an important role in that vision.”

Founded in New York City in 2017 and backed by North Castle Partners, Callaway Golf, and Danny Meyer’s Enlightened Hospitality Investments, Five Iron Golf has 40 locations across 20 states and 6 countries.

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The Am Green IGPL Morocco Rising Stars 2026 will initiate what will be an exciting stretch of tournaments in the North African nation and will be played from 28-31 May. It will be jointly sanctioned by the Asian Development Tour (ADT) and the IGPL.

The following week the US$500,000 Bharath Classic will tee-off from 4-7 June and will be sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the IGPL. Last year during the maiden season of the exciting new Indian franchise the event was played in Ahmedabad, but the event now moves to a new home in Casablanca to optimise player movements.

Victory in 2024 in Morocco was Ben Campbell’s second in The International Series. Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

The International Series Morocco will then conclude an exciting three-week swing at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam (Red Course) from 11-14 June.

“This is an exciting development for both the Asian Tour and Asian Development Tour,” said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO, Asian Tour.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer our members three successive weeks of playing opportunities in Morocco, where golf continues to make such great progress through the leadership of the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation and Hassan II Golf Trophy Association.

“It is the result of our emerging relationship with the IGPL, whom we know are working hard to help grow the game in India and beyond through new initiatives. We thank IGPL for adding a new event for the ADT as well as the flexibly in rescheduling and relocating the Bharath Classic for us on the Asian Tour.”

The top two players not otherwise exempt who finish in the top 10 at the Am Green IGPL Morocco Rising Stars 2026 will earn invites to the Bharath Classic – which was won last year by Thailand’s Poosit Supupramai.

Aidric Chan – Morocco Rising Stars Marrakesh – Asian Development Tour

The ADT tournament will offer a prize money of the US $160,000 and builds on the Tour’s maiden visit to Morocco last year for two Morocco Rising Stars Marrakech tournaments, won by Aidric Chan and Carl Jano Corpus from the Philippines.

RELATED: LIV Golf creates pathway for Indian Golf Premier League

The announcement follows soon after The International Series and the IGPL unveiled a new collaboration that will see India’s top-ranked players from the League gain access to the Series and the LIV Golf Promotions event.

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Each of the top 20 players in the world were in attendance playing for the $4 million purse. That included Nos. 1 and 2 Jeeno Thitikul and Nelly Korda. Ultimately it was No. 32 Lauren Coughlin who walked away with the victory, her third on the LPGA, but first in the United States. She shot seven-under total to collect $600,000. Korda and Leona Maguire tied for second place, meaning Korda finished runner-up for the third straight week, the first time that’s happened since Lorena Ochoa did the same in 2006.

Hyo Joo Kim, winner each of the last two weeks, tied for 13th place. Thitikul tied for 17th place.

The tour takes next week off as not to go opposite the Masters, then heads back to California and then the first major of the year, the Chevron Championship, April 23-26, in Houston.

Here’s the rundown of the prize money in Las Vegas

WIN: Lauren Coughlin, -7/2, $600,000

T-2: Nelly Korda, -2/286, $318,951

T-2: Leona Maguire, -2/286, $318,951

4: Miyu Yamashita, -1/287, $204,218

T-5: Akie Iwai, E/288, $149,430

T-5: Karis Davidson, E/288, $149,430

T-7: Ruoning Yin, +1/289, $105,597

T-7: Nanna Koerstz Madsen, +1/289, $105,597

T-9: Carlota Ciganda, +2/290, $84,677

T-9: Nasa Hataoka, +2/290, $84,677

T-11: Allisen Corpuz, +3/291, $72,222

T-11: Lydia Ko, +3/291, $72,222

T-13: Hyo Joo Kim, +4/292, $63,357

T-13: Anna Huang, +4/292, $63,357

T-15: Charley Hull, +5/293, $56,184

T-15: Angel Yin, +5/293, $56,184

T-17: Pajaree Anannarukarn, +6/294, $46,888

T-17: Chiara Tamburlini, +6/294, $46,888

T-17: Jeeno Thitikul, +6/294, $46,888

T-17: Jenny Shin, +6/294, $46,888

T-17: Jing Yan, +6/294, $46,888

T-17: Ina Yoon, +6/294, $46,888

T-23: Brooke Henderson, +7/295, $38,803

T-23: Hye-Jin Choi, +7/295, $38,803

T-23: Andrea Lee, +7/295, $38,803

T-23: Erika Hara, +7/295, $38,803

T-27: Yan Liu, +8/296, $30,757

T-27: Lucy Li, +8/296, $30,757

T-27: Gabriela Ruffels, +8/296, $30,757

T-27: Aditi Ashok, +8/296, $30,757

T-27: Jin Young Ko, +8/296, $30,757

T-27: Grace Kim, +8/296, $30,757

T-27: Patty Tavatanakit, +8/296, $30,757

T-27: Jennifer Kupcho, +8/296, $30,757

T-35: Ayaka Furue, +9/297, $23,510

T-35: Youmin Hwang, +9/297, $23,510

T-35: Gemma Dryburgh, +9/297, $23,510

T-35: Auston Kim, +9/297, $23,510

T-35: Jin Hee Im, +9/297, $23,510

40: Somi Lee, +10/298, $20,720

T-41: Sei Young Kim, +11/299, $17,704

T-41: Lottie Woad, +11/299, $17,704

T-41: Cassie Porter, +11/299, $17,704

T-41: Mi Hyant Lee, +11/299, $17,704

T-41: Julia Lopez Ramirez, +11/299, $17,704

T-41: Celine Boutier, +11/299, $17,704

T-41: Casandra Alexander, +11/299, $17,704

T-48: Brianna Navarrosa, +12/300, $14,543

T-48: Gaby Lopez, +12/300, $14,543

T-48: Rose Zhang, +12/300, $14,543

T-51: Perrine Delacour, +13/301, $11,954

T-51: Carla Tejedo Mulet, +13/301, $11,954

T-51: Kajsa Arwefjall, +13/301, $11,954

T-51: Amelia Garvey, +13/301, $11,954

T-51: Yealimi Noh, +13/301, $11,954

T-51: Megan Khang, +13/301, $11,954

T-51: A Lim Kim, +13/301, $11,954

T-51: Chizzy Iwai, +13/301, $11,954

T-51: Jessica Korda, +13/301, $11,954

60: Mimi Rhodes, +14/302, $9,962

61: Pauline Roussin-Bouchard, +15/303, $9,764

T-62: Caley McGinty, +16/304, $9,264

T-62: Weiwei Zhang, +16/304, $9,264

T-62: Lisa Pettersson, +16/304, $9,264

T-62: Anna Foster, +16/304, $9,264

T-66: Pranavi Urs, +17/305, $8,567

T-66: Maddison Hinson-Tolchard, +17/305, $8,567

T-66: Shannon Tan, +17/305, $8,567

69: $Daniela Darquea, +18/306, $8,169

70: Luna Sobron Galmes, +19/307, $7,971

T-71: Alice Hewson, +20/208, $7,820

T-71: Lauren Walsh, +20/308, $7,820

73: Avani Prashanth, +21/309, $7,670

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Lauren Coughlin said she didn’t allow herself to think about victory in Las Vegas until she hit a wedge shot into the 18th green at Shadow Creek. That may have very well been the case, but everyone else knew she had won the Aramco Championship much sooner than that.

“I was like alright, I think I got it now,” Coughlin said.

The 33-year-old from Virginia led by as many as six shots Sunday and ultimately, by making birdie on the par-5 home hole, topped Leona Maquire and Nelly Korda by five shots. Coughlin shot 67-69-73-72 for a seven-under 281 total to collect her third LPGA title, but first in the United States. Wins in Scotland and Canada marked her first two triumphs in 2024. Korda’s runner-up was her third straight.

Coughlin felt like she had some unfinished business at venerable Shadow Creek. Although this year’s stroke play event is new with a new sponsor, the LPGA played here last year in a match play championship. Coughlin lost on the last hole to Madelene Sagstrom in 2025 in the championship match.

“It left a sour taste in my mouth last year not getting the W given how well I feel like I played all week,” she said. “That makes it extra special this week.”

She started the week ranked 32nd in the world, but the victory worth $600,000 will move her 12th and establish her as the second-best American behind Korda.

Lauren Coughlin defeats Shadow Creek pic.twitter.com/uSHZIrOUNt

— LPGA (@LPGA) April 6, 2026

Speaking of the second-ranked player in the world, Korda accomplished something that is impressive, although no doubt frustrating. After a season-opening victory in Florida, she has now collected three consecutive second-place finishes, something that hasn’t been done since Lorena Ochoa did so in 2006.

Korda finished one shot behind Hyo Joo Kim two weeks ago at the Founders Cup. Last week Kim won the Ford Championship for her second straight victory and Korda finished two behind. This week in Vegas, Korda tied Ireland’s Maguire in the second position, but both were well behind Coughlin.

“I just didn’t play good golf today,” Korda said. “I was hitting it pretty poorly off the tee and finding myself in tough positions hitting into the greens.”

In fact, her only birdie on Sunday came on the last hole to creep into that second-place tie.

The LPGA now takes a week off as not to go up against the Masters, before heading back to California for an event. The following week is the tour’s first major, the Chevron Championship in Houston.

“I’m just going to stick to what I’m doing,” Korda said. “I’m really happy with the way my game is trending. Sometime when you work too hard and you exhaust yourself you can go the other way. Just going to continue doing what I’m doing and hopefully that leads me to a victory.”

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The eagle putt that sealed the deal for @travsmythg

Second Asian Tour win and first on @intseriesgolf pic.twitter.com/GjD8Pwi13k

— Asian Tour (@asiantourgolf) April 5, 2026

In a riveting finish, he drained a 20 footer to narrowly avoid a play-off with Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert and Ryosuke Kinoshita from Japan – at Caledonian Golf Club, near Tokyo.

The Australian’s brilliant final putt saw him shoot a seven-under-par 64 to move to 15-under, with Pavit and Kinoshita both in the clubhouse on 14-under.

Pavit and Kinoshita had earlier turned the tournament on its head by shooting scintillating rounds of 62 and 63 respectively to come through from much further back. The former was in the 10th from last group and Kinoshita the sixth.

Korea’s Hongtaek Kim and Shugo Imahira from Japan had started the day sharing the lead but were unable to keep up with the fast pace being set. Kim shot a 69 to tie for fifth while Imahira returned a 70 for equal seventh.

This week’s US$2 million event is the opening event of the season on The International Series, and it is Smyth’s first success on the Series – the upper-tier level of events on the Asian Tour that provide a pathway to the LIV Golf League, via The International Series Rankings.

It’s also his second victory on the Asian Tour, having won the Yeangder TPC in 2022, and comes during a remarkable run of form.

He claimed the ISPS Handa Japan-Australasia Championship last month which put him on course to win the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit for the 2025/26 season.

The 31-year-old also finished third and fifth in the first two events of the season on the Asian Tour and now leads the Order of Merit, as well as The International Series Rankings.

“That’s what dreams are made of right there,” said the Australian about his closing putt.

“As a young kid, you know, you’re on the putting green having putting comps with your mates, you’re trying to chip in to win, you’re trying to hole 25 footers to win. And that was unbelievable.

“You know, I won a tournament two weeks ago, probably a pretty similar putt downhill, left to right – just drew upon that. But yeah, for it to go in like that, it’s the best feeling ever.”

Having started the day two behind the leaders, he gradually worked his way through the field on the front nine with birdies on one, two and six.

With the course playing nearly three shots easier today and players making a deluge of birdies on the back nine he still had a lot of work to do. Birdies on 13 and 16 saw him move one behind Pavit and Kinoshita before he gained two shots on the last to finish the job in regulation play.

He explained: “I’ve had a hard time trying to win tournaments. People don’t understand how hard it is to win, you know. Like it’s such a mind game with yourself out there. In the past, like you’re always trying to come up with excuses as to why you might not be leading, or why you might not be hitting the shots under pressure that you want to, but I don’t know, I’ve been able to turn a corner.”

Pavit’s 62 was the lowest of the week and consisted of 10 birdies, and just the one dropped shot. His bogey came on the third, after which he burst into life making seven birdies in the next eight.

He said: “Today I played pretty much like perfect golf. I drove the ball very well; I hit my irons very good and I was putting well. So, everything was like on momentum. I sunk putts and had like a streak on the first nine, so I gained confidence with my putting.”

Austen Truslow finished in fourth on his own, two behind the champion. He closed with a 65, helped by an unlikely and adventurous eagle on the par-four 16th. Remarkably, his first tee shot hit some overhanging cables which allowed him to replay the shot. He promptly found the putting green in one and made his eagle putt from about 30 feet. The American faced a similar length for eagle on 18 but was unable to convert that attempt to catch Pavit and Kinoshita.

“On 16, I mean, that was a crazy situation,” he said. “It hit the telephone pole line, got to re tee, and then I drove it to 36 feet and made the putt. And the first ball was going probably 20 yards right of the green. So that was insane. That’s the craziest eagle in my life. So that happened.”

The Asian Tour heads to the Singapore Open presented by The Business Times next. The US$2 million event will be played on The Serapong at Sentosa Golf Club from 23-26 April and is also part of The International Series.

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Oosthuizen, captain of the all-South African club, joined LIV Golf in 2022 as one of its original members and has been pushing ever since to host a tournament, confident that his sport-loving countrymen would embrace the opportunity to see the league’s marquee names and unique team environment.

RELATED: Southern Guards and Ripper GC set for next chapter in their rivalry

Realistically, he thought the 2027 or 2028 LIV Golf season was a more likely timeframe. But thanks to the government’s enthusiastic support along with the participation of lifestyle estate Steyn City as the tournament location, his team’s dream came together fast and furious in less than 12 months.

So here we are this week at LIV Golf South Africa, with ticket sales approaching 100,000, putting it on track to become the biggest golf tournament ever held in the country.

That’s why whatever the Southern Guards achieve in the four-day competition starting with Thursday’s first round is essentially a bonus.

“Obviously, I think us four would love to perform well,” Oosthuizen said while sitting with his teammates – Dean Burmester, Branden Grace and Charl Schwartzel – during a pre-tournament press conference. “We’d love to play well. But I think the bigger picture is getting the tournament here. The bigger picture for me is that the four of us really enjoy this week, what everyone has done with the team behind the scenes, the LIV guys and everyone that was involved. What we’ve done in achieving and getting this tournament here was a massive goal of ours.

“I know when we step on the golf course, it will be all down to business and we want to play well, but to be honest with you, I just want to enjoy this week. I want to take everything in.”

This is our territory! Welcome to South Africa #golf #livgolf #southernguardsgc #sports pic.twitter.com/KybKf6kSFa

— Southern Guards GC (@SouthernGuards) March 16, 2026

Oosthuizen is one of two members of his team to have won a major, claiming the 2010 Open Championship at St. Andrews. The other one is Schwartzel, who won the Masters the next year in dramatic fashion with birdies on his final four holes. The Johannesburg native was asked about where this week’s tournament ranks in terms of career highlights.

“Winning the Masters will always be the biggest event, most proudest moment of my career,” Schwartzel said. “But this is in a different light. This is something that was always way off, a dream when LIV started, to be able to play a LIV event in South Africa. For it to have happened at this sort of biggest stage is, as a South African, a very proud moment.”

For the South African foursome, promoting the tournament via off-site appearances, fan engagements and sponsorship meet-and-greets while also prepping and competing for their most coveted title during the regular season will require a delicate balancing act.

Fortunately, another team in the league can offer guidance in that specific area. Cameron Smith and his Ripper GC deal with the same issues during their home event, LIV Golf Adelaide, the league’s most-attended tournament and the standard for what other LIV Golf tournaments aspire to deliver.

In 2023, the Rippers were seemingly everywhere in Adelaide, appreciative of the support they received. But it left them exhausted once the tournament began, and the Australians eventually finished 8th, shooting a collective 31 under, 16 shots behind the team winners, 4Aces GC. Smith finished fourth individually, but none of his other teammates finished inside the top 20.

In their next visit in 2024, the Rippers vowed not to wear themselves out prior to the opening round, instead refocusing their efforts on claiming hardware. It paid off in the final round when the won the team title in LIV Golf’ first-ever team playoff against their Southern Hemisphere rivals, the South Africans. Both teams shot 53 under to make the playoff – a 22-stroke improvement for the Rippers.

Oosthuizen picked the brain of Smith in the lead-up to South Africa, obtaining some guidance on how to balance promotion vs. competition. The Southern Guards participated in much of the team’s social media content last week – you may have seen their “Rhino Jive” dance clips – and some of their pre-tournament obligations were rearranged to give them additional practice time at Steyn City on Wednesday.

Matthew Harris/LIV Golf

“We knew this week was going to be tough,” Oosthuizen said. “I spoke to Cam about it on his first experience and could see how much it took out of them. Performance-level, they weren’t great that year, and the next year they were really good. I think we’ll learn from this week as well.”

That doesn’t mean the Southern Guards have resigned themselves to a low-place finish this week, although certainly other teams enter on better form.

With Ripper winning the first two tournaments, followed by 4Aces GC winning the last two, those two teams have set the early pace. Defending LIV Golf Team Champions Legion XIII, captained by Jon Rahm, have finished on the podium in the last three tournaments. Since joining the league in 2024 as its first expansion team, Legion XIII has never gone five consecutive tournaments without a victory; LIV Golf South Africa is the fifth tournament this season.

It’s time to bring the gees!

As we gear up for LIV Golf SA at Steyn City, we're officially launching the #RhinoJive challenge!

Tag us in your videos and let’s get ready for a lekker week of golf! #golf #livgolf #southernguards pic.twitter.com/HvNBEcnPvI

— Southern Guards GC (@SouthernGuards) March 13, 2026

But the South Africans have also been knocking on the door, finishing fourth, fourth and fifth in the last three starts. Perhaps their vast edge in experience in South Africa combined with the boisterous support they will receive this week, will pay dividends on Sunday.

“We’ve been very consistent this year,” Schwartzel said. “We haven’t had a podium, but it’s been fourths and fifths. I think this tournament from a team point of view, to play with these three guys here, I think this week somehow the team aspect is going to mean a little bit more.

Added Grace: “Maybe this is all it needs, coming home, being in front of your home fans, being comfortable, and just having all our friends and family here. Like Louis said, sometimes just being relaxed and having a good time is all it needs. I think everybody is in for a big treat this week.”

And if the Southern Guards do happen to end up on the top of the team podium Sunday night at Steyn City? You can bet the Rhino Jive will be part of the celebration.

“A Sunday night thing after about 14 brandy and Cokes,” joked Oosthuizen. “We’ll do it properly then.”

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It marked the first time the tournament had hosted the season-opening event on the LET, with 120 players vying for the title in Riyadh.

Prior to the event, the LET had announced a record prize purse for the 2026 season, with players competing for over €40 million for the first time in the Tour’s history.

The PIF Saudi Ladies International, which served as the first event of the 2026 PIF Global Series, was contested as a 72-hole stroke play tournament with a cut after 36 holes and carried a prize purse of $5 million USD.

This was the seventh edition of the tournament, which was added to the LET schedule in 2020, and the third consecutive year it was held at Riyadh Golf Club.

The field of 120 players represented more than 30 nationalities and featured a host of LET and LPGA Tour stars.

The 2026 edition featured a world-class field drawn from the top tiers of the game. Golf Saudi ambassadors once again headlined the season opener, with Patty Tavatanakit, Charley Hull and Carlota Ciganda joined by multiple Major champions, including 2023 Amundi Evian Championship winner Céline Boutier and 2017 Women’s PGA Championship winner Danielle Kang, reinforcing the tournament’s status as a premier global showcase.

The tournament also marked the return of Singapore’s Shannon Tan, who captured the overall LET Order of Merit title last season. Tan’s ascent to the top of the standings was punctuated by consistent performances throughout the 2025 season, where she demonstrated the composure required to clinch the title.

Through strategic investments, Saudi Arabia continued to position itself as a global hub for elite female athletes. By offering prize money parity with the PIF Saudi International, the tournament served as a signal of progress and set a new standard aimed at inspiring a future generation of female golfers.

Charley Hull carded a seven-under 65 in the final round of the $5 million PIF Saudi Ladies International to be crowned the champion of the Ladies European Tour (LET) season opener.

PIF Saudi Ladies International Individual Prize Money Payout 2026

1st – Charley Hull – €631,625

T2 – Casandra Alexander – €315,812

T2 – Akie Iwai – €315,812

T4 – Carlota Ciganda – €169,275

T4 – Hye Jin-Choi – €169,275

T6 – Nasa Hataoka – €116,639

T6 – Mimi Rhodes – €116,639

T6 – Ina Yoon – €116,639

T9 – Jiwon Ko – €95,586

T9 – Hyejun Park – €95,586

T9 – Chizzy Iwai – €95,586

T12 – Helen Briem – €80,848

T12 – Kelsey Bennett – €80,848

T12 – Patty Tavatanakit – €80,848

T12 – Shannon Tan – €80,848

16th – Muni He – €72,005

T17 – Yan Liu – €64,636

T17 – Emma Spitz – €64,636

T17 – Minsol Kim – €64,636

T17 – So Hyun Bae – €64,636

T17 – Leonie Harm – €64,636

T17 – Rio Takeda – €64,636

T23 – Kyo Rim Seo – €56,215

T23 – Nuria Iturrioz – €56,215

T25 – Esme Hamilton – €49,898

T25 – Blanca Fernandez – €49,898

T25 – Lauren Walsh – €49,898

T25 – Alison Lee – €49,898

T29 – Minsum Kim – €39,161

T29 – Dong Eun Lee – €39,161

T29 – Arpichaya Yubol – €39,161

T29 – Dasom Ma – €39,161

T29 – Manon De Roey – €39,161

T29 – Carolina Chacarra – €39,161

T29 – Kajsa Arwefjall – €39,161

T36 – Chaeeun Lee – €32,002

T36 – Auston Kim – €32,002

T36 – Nanna Koerstz Madsen – €32,002

T39 – Shinsil Bang – €24,704

T39 – Mary Liu – €24,704

T39 – Alessandra Fanali – €24,704

T39 – Esther Henseleit – €24,704

T39 – Anna Foster – €24,704

T39 – Hyunjo Yoo – €24,704

T39 – Amelia Garvey – €24,704

T39 – Jung Min Hong – €24,704

T39 – Avani Prashanth – €24,704

T48 – Maha Haddioui – €18,949

T48 – Trichat Cheenglab – €18,949

T48 – Yuai Ji – €18,949

T51 – Sara Kouskova – €16,001

T51 – Olivia Cowan – €16,001

T51 – Pauline Roussin-Bouchard – €16,001

T51 – Julia Lopez Ramirez – €16,001

T55 – Shihyun Kim – €12,913

T55 – Cholcheva Wongras – €12,913

T55 – Chiara Tamburlini – €12,913

T58 – Patcharajutar Kongkraphan – €11,580

T58 – Aditi Ashok – €11,580

60th – Pranavi Urs – €10,948

61st – Hira Naveed – €10,527

62nd – Moa Folke – €9,474

63rd – Jana Melichova – €8,843

T64 – Ruixin Liu – €7,895

T64 – Gabriella Cowley – €7,895

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The post Here is the prize money payout for the 2026 PIF Saudi Ladies International appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

On Valentine’s Day, England’s rose proved her affection for Riyadh Golf Club once again – she has previously won here in 2024 and three further top 10s in the Saudi capital – scrambling through a packed field posting seven birdies and an eagle on the par five 12th courtesy of a 60ft putt.

The 29-year-old, who now has five LET wins to her name, had a nervy wait after holing a birdie putt on her 72nd hole of the week to post the clubhouse lead in the first PIF Global Series event of the year.

Clutching the trophy, the Golf Saudi ambassador said: “I feel great, and I love this golf course, and I like how it’s really matured over the years. It’s getting trickier each year. The grass is getting thicker, and I just really like it. It was a good challenge.

“I’ve worked really hard this off-season, so it’s nice to see results straight away. It’s one of the bigger events on the LET, and it feels like a home event for me because I’m a Golf Saudi ambassador. So it’s really special to win for my sponsors.”

South Africa’s Casandra Alexander made her own back-nine charge for the title, birdieing four out of a five-hole stretch between 11-15; but a bogey on the par three 17th left the 26-year-old, who contested a Sunshine Tour playoff just last week, needing a birdie to force another one but the crucial putt missed its mark, finishing runner-up for the second week in a row alongside Japan’s Akie Iwai.

Spain’s Carlota Ciganda made a consistent start to the season with an opening round of 67 followed by three 68s to tie for fourth with third round co-leader Hye-Jin Choi, from Korea.

England’s prodigious Mimi Rhodes who led the field after the first two rounds but lost ground with a score of level par yesterday, rallied today with a convincing five-under par 67 to finish joint sixth.

A total of 775 CSR participants from a diverse range of prestigious institutions in the Kingdom, including Al Faris International School, Quality Schools, Wagt Altaalm School, Ibn Rashd School, Downe House School, Ibn Khaldoon, and Al Namothgya, joined forces to support this milestone event. Their involvement, alongside the Cancer Survivor Charity, Ensan Orphanage, and the Make Their Wish Charity, underscores a collective commitment to community impact.

By engaging the next generation through these partnerships, the event continues to support the foundations of grassroots golf within the Kingdom, turning local enthusiasm and curiosity, into a lasting sporting legacy and awareness.

The PIF Global Series heads to Las Vegas for its second stop, making a historic West Coast debut. This event signals the first time both the PIF Global Series, and the Aramco Championship will be hosted in the region, bringing elite-level competition to one of the world’s premier sports and entertainment destinations. Scheduled from April 2–5, the tournament will see players competing for a prestigious $4 million prize fund.

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