AR
By Kent Gray
Charley Hull will join victorious Solheim Cup team-mate Georgia Hall at Saudi Arabia’s historic US$1.5 million “women’s week of golf” near Jeddah next month.
World No.37 Hull was unveiled as the latest name for $1million Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by Public Investment Fund from Nov.12-15 before the just announced Saudi Ladies Team International from Nov. 17-19.
Hall, up to 29th in the Rolex Women’s World Rankings after her LPGA breakthrough last month, was confirmed earlier this year along with Golf Saudi ambassadors Amy Boulden and Camilla Lennarth.
Both Ladies European Tour events – just the second international professional women-only sports event to take place within the Kingdom – will take place at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) in a safe bio-secure environment sans fans.
Hull is no stranger to success in the Middle East having won the 2014 Lalla Meryem Cup and last year’s Abu Dhabi’s Fatima Bint Mubarak Open last year. She made her LPGA Tour breakthrough at the 2016 CME Group Tour Championship and was second at the U.S. season-ender last year to claim almost $500,000.
The 24-year old is set for a Solheim Cup reunion with Hall who confirmed her place in the history-making event earlier in the year. Together they contributed seven points towards Europe’s 2019 Solheim Cup triumph at Gleneagles including a perfect 4-0-0 record from Hall.
“To play golf around the world was always my dream growing up and now I have the opportunity to compete in another new country for the women’s game,” said Hull who returned to post-lockdown golf in style, winning the Order of Merit in the inaugural Rose Ladies Series in August.
“The course looks absolutely stunning so I can’t wait to get out there and compete against some of the world’s top female golfers. It is great to be competing in this inaugural tournament, which is unprecedented, as we play golf in Saudi Arabia for the first time.”
2018 Women’s Open champion Hall added: “It’s been a long time coming, with March’s original event postponed due to the pandemic but the prospect of getting out somewhere new and competing in not just one but two tournaments in the space of a week is incredibly exciting for the players – and shows incredible backing for the women’s game.
“The golf course looks fantastic and I’m sure will bring out the best in us, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
Majed Al Sorour, CEO Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation, said: “We’re delighted to be able to host exciting new golf tournaments capable of attracting the game’s biggest names – and Charley and Georgia are definitely two of those.
“With both tournaments being broadcast live across the country, it will be a watershed moment for young Saudis to watch these elite-level golfers perform within the Kingdom that we hope will inspire many to come and give golf a try.
“We look forward to welcoming Charley, Georgia and all the other players we’ll have competing in November to what we aim to make a world-class sporting occasion, held within a safe bubble environment and overlooking the turquoise waters off the Red Sea coast.”
