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By Kent Gray
Tiger Woods reportedly turned down a world record appearance fee to play in the new Saudi International. It’s fair to say/assume the new European Tour event has invested that very large chunk of leftover change – believed to have been in the neighbourhood of US$3 million – very well anyway.

Major champions Justin Rose, Sergio Garcia and Henrik Stenson and European Ryder Cup talisman Ian Poulter have been unveiled as the latest headline acts for the inaugural event, the new third leg of the European Tour’s early season Desert Swing to be held at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club from Jan. 31- Feb.3.

World No.3 Dustin Johnson, reigning Masters champion Patrick Reed and victorious Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn were confirmed for the $3.5 million event in King Abdullah Economic City last April and following Woods’ polite thanks but no thanks, reported last month, many were left  wondering about the quality of the supporting cast. They doubters needn’t have fretted.

The tournament now boasts two of the world’s top three players (Rose is ranked No.2 behind Abu Dhabi bound Brooks Koepka), five major champions and six players from September’s Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in Paris.

“Today’s announcement reiterates our intention to make the inaugural Saudi International one of world golf’s strongest events,” said Saudi Golf Federation chairman, H.E. Yasir Al-Rumayyan.

“Our ambition from the start was to amass a box office field that would build immediate impact and allow us to showcase the ambition of Saudi Arabia and its bright future to the world, whilst laying solid foundations for future endeavours.

“With the visual impact of Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, the impressive host venue facilities and the beauty of the Red Sea coastline, we have all the ingredients for a successful opening year and are confident all the players will leave holding Saudi Arabia and its golf prospects in the highest regard.”

In a statement, Rose and Stenson also accentuated the positives of the new stop.

“I’ve heard a lot of positive things about Saudi Arabia and I’m delighted to see a new tournament added to the European Tour schedule,” said Rose, the 2013 U.S. Open champion and PGA Tour’s 2018 FedEx Cup winner. “It’s an honour be part of history and compete in the first professional golf tournament in the Kingdom.”   

Stenson played the quality field card: “You always want to compete against the best players in the world when you tee it up and this provides me another opportunity to do that,” said the 2016 Open champion who has also just been confirmed for Abu Dhabi.

“I’ve been on the European Tour since 2001 and I’ve been lucky enough to play golf all over the world but I’ve never been to Saudi Arabia. The course looks spectacular and I’ve heard a lot about the Kingdom’s plans to grow golf in the region and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Perched on the shorelines of the Red Sea, Royal Greens Golf & Country Club boasts a championship golf course, a state-of-the-art clubhouse, practice facility and residential and recreational facilities. The Saudi International powered by SBIA will place a special focus on families, community, charity and junior development as the Kingdom looks to develop its golfing pedigree.