Photo by Andrew Redington/WME IMG/WME IMG via Getty Images
Tuesday’s Saudi International photocall included (Back row L to R) Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka; (Middle row) Henrik Stenson, Justin Rose, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Thomas Bjorn; (Front row) Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Reed, Thorbjorn Olesen and Sergio Garcia.

By Kent Gray
As globetrotters who give business travel a whole new meaning, the world’s best golfers should ace a geography test, right? What might surprise you though is the victor of an impromptu pop quiz to help put the new Saudi International on the golfing map.

With four of the world’s top players in the field for this week’s new European Tour stop, it’s not like the $3.5 million Saudi International powered by SBIA is struggling for recognition. It didn’t stop Justin Rose, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and others from getting in on the fun of trying to pinpoint the exact locations of Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) and, more accurately, Royal Greens Golf & Country Club on a world map.

RELATED: Othman’s Royal Welcome: Kingdom’s first pro showcases three key holes at this week’s Saudi International

European Ryder Cup stars Henrik Stenson, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Thorbjorn Olesen, Lee Westwood and Thomas Bjorn, as well as reigning Masters champion Patrick Reed, also took a stab at golf’s version of pin the tail on the donkey but it was Johnson who emerged as the winner.

“I’ve always known my world geography well and obviously we travel a lot with the sport, so I was quietly confident I would nail this one,” the world No. 3 said. “Here’s hoping this is not the only victory I’ll experience this week.”

Any PR is good PR this week and the big names wheeled into the media centre afterwards to help preview the event were playing the game.

“First impression about the country? It’s beautiful,” said DeChambeau. “The Red Sea is beautiful. I did not expect that whatsoever.  It was a very, very pleasant surprise.” 

Koepka is also impressed with Royal Greens, a European Golf Design nestling the Red Sea.

“Yeah, obviously the golf course looks very, very beautiful.  We got to see the last couple finishing holes driving out there.  Just had a little shoot [for the geography test].  Looks beautiful.  The course looks like it’s in good shape, spectacular, very big,” the world No.2 said. 

“Only been here for about a day and a half, but yesterday was unfortunate with the rain.  I don’t think it’s rained here in a while, but the place is very nice and glad to be here.“

Garcia was also looking forward to his first practice round after doing something rare when he landed; getting a new stamp in his latest passport.

“ It looks beautiful.  It looks really, really nice.  I’m excited to go out there later on and play nine holes and get a feel for the course a little bit.  See how it’s playing.  You know, saw a couple of holes here and there and they looked really nice,” the former Masters champion said.

“It is always exciting to come to a new place and experience something new and different. We always try to grow the game as much as possible.

“This week is a good opportunity to do it here in Saudi, a place that we’ve never been to. Hopefully we’ll put on a good show and the people will enjoy it, not only here but all around the world, and they will be able to see Saudi Arabia and what the country brings.”

Ernie Els is certainly impressed with golf’s newest market: