By Kent Gray
The strongest field in Middle East women’s golf has been bolstered further with Kiwi Lydia Ko confirmed for this week’s Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by PIF.

The 24-year-old  two-time major champion and former world No.1 will compete at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club for the first time as part of a stellar field assembled for two separate but interconnected $1 million Ladies European Tour events including the climax to the new Aramco Team Series.

Former fellow major champions Georgia Hall, Anna Nordqvist and Dame Laura Davies, big-name Australasians Minjee Lee and Steph Kyriacou and Dane Emily Kristine Pedersen are also confirmed.

Pedersen returns to the scene of her triple victory in 2020 while Britain’s Charley Hull seeks back-to-back Aramco victories after claiming the individual prize from the Aramco Team Series – New York. Fellow European Solheim Cup star Carlota Ciganda also features in the stellar field for King Abdullah Economic City, near Jeddah with the Saudi Internation running from Nov. 4-7 before the Aramco Team Series – Jeddah from Nov. 10-12.

“It sounds like it’s going to be a really awesome week in Saudi Arabia,” said Ko, the world No.8.

“This will be my first visit to the Kingdom but having watched some of last year’s debut Saudi events, the Aramco Team Series tournaments this year, and having heard only good things from the girls on Tour, the Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by PIF is an event I am really excited to be part of.

“Being able to play in different countries around the world and inspire more young people and young girls especially into golf is something that I never take for granted. I know the impact this event had with Saudi girls last year – with more than 1,000 signing-up to learn to play – so it sounds like I’ll be playing in somewhere that’s really starting to fall in love with golf!”

Minjee Lee is Saudi Arabia-bound after an awesome year, which saw her bag her maiden Major title with a dramatic final-day surge to victory in the Evian Championship.

Perth-born Lee said: “It’s been a good year for me – and I’m excited to keep it going with my first visit to Saudi Arabia.

“I’ve had success in the region before, winning the Dubai Moonlight Classic in 2020, so hopefully my luck in the Middle East will continue with a strong finish in the Aramco Saudi Ladies International.

“It’s a strong field but I’m playing well and hopefully I can take that with me to Jeddah.”