JEDDAH: The world’s best women’s golfers will be returning to Saudi Arabia in November for what will be the biggest week in professional women’s sport in the Kingdom — with 108 players competing for back-to-back $1 million tournaments on the Ladies European Tour.
Hosted at the Royal Greens Golf Club, on the Red Sea Coast near Jeddah in King Abdullah Economic City, the Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by Public Investment Fund take place from Nov. 4 to 7 and will be followed by the Aramco Team Series — Jeddah Nov. 10 to 12.
The Aramco Saudi Ladies International is returning for a second year after its debut in 2020 as the first ever professional women’s golf tournament in the Kingdom.
The individual stroke play tournament will be followed by the conclusion of the inaugural Aramco Team Series — a brand-new four-tournament concept introduced on the Ladies European Tour earlier this year which has already been to London, Sotogrande and New York.
The innovative format sees teams of four, that include three professionals and one amateur, compete as both a team and as individuals.
Last year, Danish star Emily Kristine Pedersen made history by winning both tournaments en route to the 2020 Race to Costa del Sol crown — awarded to Europe’s leading golfer. The 25-year-old Solheim Cup player will return to defend her crowns in Jeddah.
“Last year was a pretty incredible experience to be part of two history making events in Saudi Arabia for our sport at a crucial time in the season,” said Pedersen.
“Everything obviously came together and clicked for me over the week in both the individual and team formats in Jeddah. We’re getting some great support on the LET this year from events like these and it’s giving lots of momentum for more players getting a chance to play with the world’s top names,” she added.
International stars already confirmed for Jeddah are three-time major winner Anna Nordqvist (Sweden), Minjee Lee (Australia), Anne van Dam (Netherlands) plus English duo Charley Hull and Georgia Hall.
November’s consecutive tournaments, each with a prize fund of $1 million, will see players compete for what will be the LET season’s biggest purses after only the Amundi Evian Championship and AIG Women’s Open. It makes Aramco the most significant supporter of the LET as part of their drive to promoting women’s sport and equality.
“Our vision is to grow golf across the Kingdom, and make it both accessible and enjoyable to all men, women and children,” said Majed Al-Sorour, CEO of Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation. “We know hosting these innovative tournaments and initiatives like the Ladies First Club not only attracts the world’s best players but also inspires a new generation of golfers to take up a sport that can have a huge positive impact in lives.”
He added: “Jeddah will once again mark another step in our journey to put Saudi Arabia on the international golfing map.”
