Held at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Centre on June 8 and 9, Futurescape Global brought together all aspects of landscaping that enhance outdoor living and wellness and promote sustainable development, in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

Richard Allen, EcoBunker’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “We were privileged to be chosen as part of the team creating the incredible golf course at Royal Golf Club Wadi Safar, a short distance from the convention.

“Having seen first-hand the standards expected when working in the Kingdom, and the sustainable credentials necessary to align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, we know that our technologies are a wonderful fit for projects in the region.”

EcoBunker showcased its latest pre-cut synthetic bunker technology at the event, demonstrating how it helps halve on-site build time while delivering all of the maintenance reductions, erosion control and sustainability expected from EcoBunker solutions.

Also on display was EcoBunker’s proprietary bunker liner, Ecotec, along with its AquaEdge lake edging, which was used to great effect on the project at Royal Golf Club Wadi Safar.

Allen said: “By exhibiting at Futurescape, we demonstrated our commitment to helping develop beautiful, sustainable and long-lasting bunker solutions in the Middle East. The event provided an excellent opportunity to connect with the wider industry and demonstrate what EcoBunker technology can do for the long-term planning of sustainable golf developments.”

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The GDME Team

This guide is free to our loyal audience. You can scroll through the ISSUU link provided here or download it to your favourite device for later. We hope you enjoy the read.

RELATED: Golf Travel Guide 2025

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Other than that.

The league started in Saudi Arabia and for the second consecutive year it played at night. The field is now up to 57 players, consisting of four players on each of 13 teams and five wild card additions.

Less than a month after signing with LIV Golf, Australian 23-year-old Elvis Smylie shot a closing eight-under-par 64 on Saturday to win the season-opening event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and take home the $4 million top prize from the $30 million purse. Smylie recorded a 24-under total that was one shot better than two-time major winner Jon Rahm, who put the pressure on by shooting 63.

On the strength of Smylie’s performance, his team of four Australians that also includes Cam Smith, Marc Leishman and Lucas Herbert captured the team title by three strokes over the Torque GC team led by Joaquin Niemann. Ripper splits $3 million for its victory. Quite a payday for Smylie.

Aside from Smylie, nine other players made their LIV Golf debuts as full-time members this week: Thomas Detry, Victor Perez, Michael La Sasso, Ben An, Minkyu Kim, Younghan Song, Yosuke Asaji, Bjorn Hellgren and Richard Lee. The Iron Heads are now called Korean Golf Club and Stinger GC is now called the Southern Guards. Ollie Schniederjans started in place of Phil Mickelson and Ben Schmidt started for Lee Westwood.

Here’s the rundown of what each player and team earned this week in Saudi Arabia.

Here’s the prize money breakdown for each golfer at the 2026 LIV Golf Riyadh

Main Image: LIV Golf

The post Here’s the prize money breakdown for each golfer at the 2026 LIV Golf Riyadh appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Golf in Saudi Arabia began here in 1949 with a simple sand course called Rolling Hills Country Club. Today, Rolling Hills Golf Club in Dhahran is a private 18-hole, par-72 layout within the Saudi Aramco residential camp, opened in 2005.

Its smooth greens, strategic bunkers, and wide fairways sit against a striking desert backdrop, while the 9th and 18th holes mark historic grave posts from the land’s past.

2024 Asian Development Tour Graduates

For the fourth consecutive year, the Aramco Invitational on the Asian Development Tour will bring rising talent and a $250,000 purse to this unique desert course.

Main image: Paul Lakatos / Asian Development Tour

This article was featured in the November 2025 issue of Golf Digest Middle East. Click here for a digital issue of the full magazine

READ MORE: Where To Play

Regnum Carya Golf Club

Awali Golf Club

Sunningdale Golf Club

Costa Navarino

Royal Greens Golf & Country Club

Al Ain Equestrian Shooting and Golf Club

Al Zorah Golf Club

Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club

Arabian Ranches Golf Club

Yas Links Abu Dhabi

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Played as part of the new-look PIF Global Series, the $ 2 million prize-fund Aramco Korea Championship brought more than 100 of the world’s best golfers together at New Korea Country Club, May 9-11. Team Kouskova – led by Czech star, Sara Kouskova – and local hero Hyo Joo Kim were crowned team and individual winners respectively, following three challenging days in the South Korean capital.

And while the PIF Global Series aims to elevate women’s golf and drive greater equality at the peak of the professional game, organisers Golf Saudi are also focused on driving the grassroots growth of golf both domestically in Saudi Arabia and around the world.

In line with that, a team of Golf Saudi’s leading coaches and global ambassadors came together to host an international GoGolf coaching clinic on-site at the Aramco Korea Championship.

GoGolf is Golf Saudi’s world-first golf coaching initiative that offers all new golfers in Saudi Arabia three months of free golf lessons. Once completed, each aspiring golfer is given a year of discounted rounds of golf at golf courses across the Kingdom, plus further discounted lessons and reduced-price club memberships. To date, an estimated 70,000 free lessons have been given as part of GoGolf, driving a 300% increase in Saudi golfers since 2022, with 3,000 Saudi women taking up the game since 2021.

In Seoul, Golf Saudi’s GoGolf lessons welcomed more than 300 young South Koreans and Saudi-born expats for three days of on-ground coaching clinics. Led by Golf Saudi’s GoGolf coaches, the sessions also featured tips and guidance from Golf Saudi ambassadors, all held at the tournament’s official driving range.

“At Golf Saudi we are passionate about bringing more and more people into the game we love, helping it continue to grow both in Saudi Arabia and around the world,” said Muath Al Alsheikh, Program Manager at GoGolf. “We know that means enabling access and breaking down barriers of entry wherever possible, so that’s why GoGolf offers all Saudis free lessons – and why we were thrilled to host complimentary GoGolf clinics in Seoul.

“It was great to see so many young golfers come and be part of the sessions, including some who were repeat participants – amongst them, several of the Saudi expats. This shows the effectiveness of clinics like these in driving a growing interest in golf.”

MORE: Try golf series – Getting on the course

Lessons included fun swing sessions for kids aged between 5-8 years old, brought to the event through a partnership with South Korean non-profit golf development scheme, First Tee.

First Tee Executive Director, Mr Choi, said: “We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Golf Saudi and the PIF Global Series Aramco Korea Championship for bringing the GoGolf initiative to Seoul and for giving our First Tee children an unforgettable opportunity that will stay with them for a lifetime.

“This meaningful encounter has inspired us to pursue a vision: creating a more inclusive and community-centred golf culture together with Golf Saudi. To achieve our shared goal, we believe that if Golf Saudi continues to nurture the next generation of golf talent into world-class athletes, and we do our part to ensure that more young children have the opportunity to dream and grow through golf, then our dream of uniting the world through golf will surely become a reality.

“To the GoGolf team, who are playing such a vital role in setting young Saudi golfers on their journey – thank you once again for being with our First Tee children.”

There were also sessions given to Saudi expats living in Seoul, themselves with eyes on one-day becoming Saudi Arabia’s first international champion golfers.

Expat Abrar Abdulwahab was one of the more than 100 Saudis who took part in the GoGolf lessons at New Korea Country Club. She said: “I really enjoyed GoGolf. I tried golf last year in Saudi Arabia, and now, trying again here, I’ve definitely noticed an improvement in my skills. When I return to my home, I’ll continue learning more – it’s been a wonderful experience.”

Fellow Saudi expat, Fahad Al-Qahtani, added: “I’m extremely grateful for this program and its organisers. Not only did I take part in the coaching session, but I also learned about the history of golf in Saudi Arabia, which was really interesting.”

GoGolf is available year-round for Saudis to register to learn to play golf across Saudi Arabia.

For more information on the Go Golf Initiative by Golf Saudi, please visit golfsaudi.com/Go_Golf

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When Khaled Attieh talks about his journey into professional golf, you can sense the gratitude — and a little bit of disbelief. The Saudi Arabian golfer, who turned pro just over six months ago, is still adjusting to the idea that the dream he’s chased since childhood is now a full-time career.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said the 30-year-old. “But honestly, I think the timing was right. It feels good to finally take that step. I’ve had a few solid finishes, played in some great events… and now I just want to keep that momentum going and keep working on my game.”

Khaled Attieh – Octavio Passos

Attieh’s story isn’t your typical golf fairytale. He didn’t grow up with manicured fairways or private coaches. Instead, his introduction to the game came on a sand course in Jeddah, where he learned to play with a mat in his bag and a rake for the ‘browns’.

“It was called Jeddah Golf Club, near the airport. Just sand everywhere,” he laughs. “I’d hit shots off a mat, and the ball would run like 380 yards on the hard surface. Then you’d rake the green before you putt. It was wild — but it’s where it all started.”

His father was the one who brought him into the game, thanks to a South African friend who introduced them both to golf in Jeddah. At first, young Khaled was just tagging along for the buggy rides. But slowly, he started swinging a club — and getting the bug!

His game took a big leap when he moved to neighbouring Dubai for high school. With access to grass courses and better facilities, Attieh’s potential started to show. Later, he headed to the US to attend the University of Southern California, playing college golf and competing with some of the top amateur golfers in the world.

“College golf was huge for my development,” he says. “You’re out there playing against the best, week in, week out. That experience really set me up for the professional side.”

Khaled Attieh – Octavio Passos

With a glittering amateur career, Attieh’s ascent in the golfing world has been driven by significant milestones. In March 2024, he clinched the Senior Individual title at the GCC Golf Championship in Doha, denying the host nation’s Saleh Al Kaabi a hat-trick of victories.

Plus, earlier last year, he made history by becoming the first Saudi amateur to make the cut in a professional tournament during the Asian Tour’s International Series Oman. So, when the time finally came to turn pro, was it intimidating?

“There’s always pressure,” he admitted. “Whether you were a top amateur or you’re just starting out, that pressure’s real. But the way I see it, you just keep your head down, stay committed, and learn from every event. There’s no shortcut.”

Now competing on global tours across the Asian Tour, DP World Tour and HotelPlanner Tour, Attieh is starting to feel more at home among his fellow pros — many of whom he competed against during those memorable amateur days.

“It’s cool seeing familiar faces out there. You realise, okay, we’ve all been on this journey together in some way. Now we’re just doing it for a living.”

But none of these opportunities, he says, would be possible without the support of Golf Saudi.

“They’ve been incredible,” he says. “Their support means the world. It’s not just about funding — it’s the belief, the opportunities, the infrastructure they’re building. And it’s not just in Saudi. Through LIV Golf, the LET’s Aramco Team Series, and other events, they’re making a real global impact. Without the support of Golf Saudi and my family, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Khaled Attieh – Octavio Passos

Golf in the Arab world, particularly in Saudi Arabia, is on the rise — and Attieh is proud to be part of it.

“It’s grown so much in just the last few years,” he says. “We’re seeing more young players, better facilities, more events. I think they’ve looked at what’s worked in places like Dubai and said, ‘Let’s do that — and more.’ And it’s working.”

Right now, there are five Saudi professionals competing internationally — Othman Almulla, Saud Al-Sharif, Faisal Salhab, Shergo Kurdi and Khaled — and they’ve built a real brotherhood.

“We’re all good friends,” says Attieh. “We travel together, compete, push each other. It’s a great environment. Everyone wants to improve and represent Saudi in the best way.

“I’d love to be a mentor — if not now, then in the future,” he says. “I’m still early in my pro journey, but if I can help inspire or guide the next wave of Arab golfers, that’d be a real honour.”

Just one of a host of Arab golfers proudly carrying the Arab flag around the globe, Attieh is always aware of what it means to represent something bigger than himself.

“A few years ago, you didn’t see many Arab professionals out there,” he says. “Now, it’s starting to change — but it’s still rare.

“So, to be one of the few, and to share our culture and our story with the world… it’s something I don’t take lightly.”

For Khaled, the dream is no longer distant — it’s happening, one tournament at a time.

Main image: Octavio Passos

This article was featured in the May 2025 issue of Golf Digest Middle East. Click here for a digital issue of the full magazine

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All 10 events have now been finalised, with five presenting partners – four of which are new – five groundbreaking inaugural tournaments and a new title sponsor highlighting the growing attraction of the brand.

Launched in March 2022 as a LIV Golf-backed set of elevated events on the Asian Tour, the series got underway at International Series Thailand at Black Mountain Golf Club, Thailand.

Joaquin Niemann – International Series PIF Saudi International Riyadh 2024 – Asian Tour

Since its inaugural tournament, the series has visited 14 countries, including destinations in the Middle East, North Africa and the United Kingdom.

Fast forward to May 2025, the series continues to expand, with four new markets this season, in India, Japan, Cambodia and the Philippines. The addition of a legacy event in the Asian golfing heartland of Singapore further strengthens a robust calendar which also features welcome returns to Macau, Morocco, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia.

Rahul Singh, Head of The International Series, said: “The International Series is making a real impact on the industry and contributing to an unheralded new era for the sport, transforming the golf landscape for everyone, from global superstars to regional talent and prodigious amateurs.”

A number of players from the Asian Tour have taken the pathway to the LIV Golf League in the past four years, while the appearance of superstars such as Bryson DeChambeau, Joaquin Niemann and Patrick Reed on the series has further elevated the offering.

LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil said: “LIV Golf is committed to creating more player pathways throughout professional golf, and The International Series continues to play a huge role in the sport’s global growth.

“The Series is bringing many of golf’s biggest names to new markets while opening opportunities for the stars of tomorrow to compete with the very best, and we couldn’t be more excited for its future.”

This season, the series also offered players a golden opportunity to compete in the Majors, with the top three from International Series Macau presented by Wynn securing places at The Open in Royal Portrush in July, after the tournament was named as an Open Qualifying Series event for the first time.

Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour

Macau champion Carlos Ortiz from Mexico booked a place along with former Masters champion Patrick Reed from the United Sates and countryman and fellow LIV Golf player Jason Kokrak.

Singh emphasised the growing importance of The International Series, saying: “The International Series has always been about opportunity – offering players that pathway onto the LIV Golf League and providing emerging talent from around the world with a chance to compete against the very best, at elevated events on world-class golfing destinations.”

The 2025 schedule continues this week at International Series Japan presented by Moutai in Chiba with a strong mix of LIV Golf stars, Asian Tour players and local talent from Japan.

See below the 2025 International Series Schedule on the Asian Tour

30 January – 2 February

International Series India presented by DLF

DLF Golf and Country Club, Gurugram

20-23 March

International Series Macau presented by Wynn

Macau Golf and Country Club

8-11 May

International Series Japan presented by Moutai

Caledonian Golf Club, Chiba

3-6 July

International Series Morocco

Royal Golf Dar Es Salaam, Rabat

2-5 October

BNI Indonesian Masters

Royale Jakarta Golf Club, Jakarta

9-12 October

International Series Cambodia presented by Royal Group

Chhun On Golf Resort, Phnom Penh

23-26 October

International Series Philippines presented by BingoPlus

Sta. Elena Golf Club, Manila

30 October– 2 November

Link Hong Kong Open

Hong Kong Golf Club

6-9 November

Moutai Singapore Open

Singapore Island Country Club

19-22 November

PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers

Riyadh Golf Club, Riyadh

Main Image: Asian Tour

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Representing the Men’s Team will be Ahmad Skaik, Sam Mullane, Jonathan Selvaraj, and Rayan Ahmed. Playing for the Youth – 18 & Under Team are Abdulla Kalbat, Mohammed Thabet, and Abdulla Salmeen.

Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Played at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, this year’s GCC Golf Championship is the 16th edition of the Youth Championship and the 27th edition of the Men’s Championship. Royal Greens is an 18-hole Championship golf course that has hosted events for the DP World Tour, LIV Golf, Asian Tour, and Ladies European Tour.

The Men’s Championship will be played over four rounds, with the top three scores from the team contributing per round. The Youth competition will be played over three rounds, with the top two scores per round contributing to the teams’ overall results.

Travelling with the teams will be Emirates Golf Federation Secretary General Khalis Mubarak Al Shamsi and National Team Head Coach Faycal Serghini.

Main Image: EGF

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The prodigious Thai, who celebrates her 22nd birthday next Thursday (February 20), follows her compatriot Patty Tavatanakit who picked up the winner’s cheque as part of the $5 million Saudi’s flagship women’s golf tournament in 2024.

Jeeno just loves winning

A 17th professional victory at the age of 21. Incredible!#ExcitementIsOurGame pic.twitter.com/gsh21RRZED

— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) February 15, 2025

The event marked Thitikul’s first start of the season. Afterwards she said: “It’s the best present I’ve ever received in my life!” Adding: “To be honest, I didn’t think I’d be able to win my first event of the year at all because after a long offseason without playing tournaments, you need to adjust a little bit on the course. But winning here is a huge advantage. We can take this form and carry on the good things that happened here. More than anything, I think my team will be proud because we’ve worked really hard in the offseason, always trying to get better. Having a win here means we’re moving in the right direction.”

Thitikul started the final day at Riyadh Golf Club with a three-shot lead, which she quickly extended notching up four birdies in her first 10 holes, giving her a five-shot advantage with eight to play.

The World No. 4 would give just one shot back to the field over these holes, which proved too good for closest competitors Somi Lee, whose two-under-par round of 70 would hand her solo second, and England’s Annabell Fuller who made a remarkable recovery after a three-over front-nine to finish her round one over par and leave her alone in third place.

In securing third place, Fuller has made it back-to-back top 10s after a sixth placed finish on the Ladies European Tour (LET).

After her final round, the 22-year-old Fuller, who will pocket $270,000 from the PIF Saudi Ladies International from finishing solo third, said: “I was saying to my parents last week, this kind of tournament is life-changing. Golf isn’t cheap, and neither is travelling, so having the opportunity to earn at this level is huge. It really helps make a career in the game more sustainable.

“It was awesome to play next to her [Jeeno Thitikul] and watch her game, she’s so good. Even when she made a mistake, seeing how she recovered was incredible. Her short game is just next level, and she always managed to get out of tough spots so well. For me, it’s a huge confidence boost to have two strong weeks back-to-back.”

Boasting an historic $5 million prize fund PIF Saudi Ladies International matches the men’s equivalent, the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisors (played on the Asian Tour,) and represents the highest non-Major purse on the LET, illustrating Golf Saudi and PIF’s aligned commitment to enabling and advancing women in the game.

Following her victory, Thitikul addressed the significance of this.

She said: “I think Golf Saudi and PIF have done so much to elevate women’s golf and grow the game. I really appreciate how they see the potential in women’s golf and continue investing in it. The women’s game really needs this kind of support to keep growing, especially for the next generation. Hopefully, more fans will watch, whether on TV or coming out here in person. Saudi has done a really good job organizing a big event and bringing in top players to compete, which is great for women’s golf.”

Team Lee takes the team win (from left to right) Amy Taylor, Nastasia Naduad, Somi Lee, Minsun Kim – 2025 PIF Saudi Ladies International – LET

A new two-day team format was introduced to the tournament this year to heighten the drama and increase prize-winning potential. Korea’s Somi Lee captained her team to a two-shot victory, lifting the trophy on Friday.

Images: LET

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The 26-year-old raced to four under par on the front nine before dropping three crucial birdie putts in the last four holes to top the leaderboard, one shot clear from Germany’s Esther Henseleit and Annabel Fuller from England.

How things stand after a low scoring round 1 in Riyadh #ExcitementIsOurGame pic.twitter.com/urlFwBL3eG

— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) February 13, 2025

Continuing with the good form that gave her a top-15 finish in last week’s Founders Cup, Lee isn’t going to get ahead of herself. After her round, she said: “I don’t want to think about what has passed. I just want to think about what’s coming and that’s my main focus.”

The PIF Saudi Ladies International has welcomed an innovative new format including a team element alongside individual competition for the 112-strong field featuring many of the world’s best women golfers.

A combination of Lee’s heroics, alongside a similarly stunning 67 from teammate and compatriot Minsun Kim, helped Team Lee – completed with France’s Nastasia Nadaud and Amy Taylor of England – reach a total of -17, which would be second only to Team Kyriacou.

The two-time Ladies European Tour winner was joined by Germany’s Olivia Cowan, Sara Kouskova from Czechia and Liz Young, who – in the words of their Australian skipper – “ham and egged really well!”

TEAM Kyriacou hold the overnight lead #ExcitementIsOurGame pic.twitter.com/Y4Yo1kRcn0

— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) February 13, 2025

The 24-year-old also relied on a strong finish to support her team with four birdies in the last five holes. She added: “I wasn’t really doing much for the first 14 holes but I was able to turn it on the last few that will help us going into tomorrow.”

Teammate Cowan contributed an eye-popping eight birdies en route to the team including a near ace on the par-3 17th. Elsewhere, Thai 20-year-old April Angurasaranee made her first hole-in-one holing a well-struck 6-iron on the sixth hole to the delight of her fellow countrywoman and team captain Moriya Jutanugarn.

The PIF Saudi Ladies International features a unique format with 28 teams of four professionals as the top two scores on each hole count towards the team score.

One of the tournament’s most significant milestones is its equal prize fund to the men’s event, the PIF Saudi International Presented by SoftBank, an important step forward for women’s golf.

Round two continues on Friday, February 14.

Main Image: LET

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