By Kent Gray
Pablo Larrazábal’s links to Middle East golf have deepened.

The 2014 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship winner has just been unveiled as the latest international ambassador for Golf Saudi. The 37-year-old Spaniard joins compatriot Adri Arnaus and Ladies European Tour players Amy Boulden (Wales) and Camilla Lennarth (Sweden) in the push to sell the Kingdom’s global golf ambitions.

“I feel honoured to be part of the Golf Saudi team and I look forward to sharing the many wonders of Saudi Arabia with my golf fans,” said Larrazábal, a five-time winner on the European Tour.

“I love travelling to the Middle East and playing in tournaments there, a region where I have a strong record. Having played in this year’s Saudi International it’s clear that the golfing community is really making a foothold in the Kingdom. As a Golf Saudi ambassador, I’d like to play a first-hand role in growing the game there, particularly with the younger generations. It’s important for golf to expand in new markets if our sport is to continue to grow and develop a sustainable legacy.”

The 2008 Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year, ranked 163rd in the latest world rankings, last win was at the 2019 Alfred Dunhill Championship where the Barcelona-born player overcame a series of painful blisters to birdie three of his last four holes for a dramatic one-stroke victory.

Larrazábal continued his strong form into 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic halted play worldwide, finishing T-7 and T-13 respectively at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters and the Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisers.

“We are privileged to have been able to appoint Pablo Larrazábal as an official Golf Saudi Ambassador,” said Golf Saudi CEO Majed Al Sorour.

“Pablo has taken a keen interest in our progress and we are lucky to have him on board to support our ongoing development. Watching him play in this year’s Saudi International, I was able to see first-hand his immense ability on the golf course and we look forward to developing a strong working partnership and gaining his insights, particularly when it comes to attracting young Saudis to the game.”