Golf Saudi announced that PIF is the new title partner of the renamed PIF Saudi Ladies International, a partnership which also sees the prize money for the tournament equalling with the equivalent men’s contest, underlining PIF’s commitment to inclusion in sport.
The PIF Saudi Ladies International returns February 13-15 at Riyadh Golf Club and will also see a new format with tour professionals taking part in both an individual and team competition.
The partnership between PIF and Golf Saudi is designed to have a transformative impact on the sport, promote inclusivity and equality within golf, and foster greater engagement among Saudi Arabia’s people and visitors alike. This includes providing opportunities for all Saudi nationals to participate in the game of golf, creating gateways for aspiring professionals in the Middle East to enter the professional game, and launching golf tourism initiatives such as the development of quality golf facilities at scale across the country.
The PIF Saudi Ladies International will feature a field of 112 elite competitors, including world number three ranked Ruoning Yin, nine ranked Charley Hull and defending tournament champion Patty Tavatanakit, with the prize purse at US$5 million – the largest purse for any women’s professional golf tournament outside majors and a few select LGPA events.
Driven by PIF’s partnership, the tournament’s purse intentionally matches that of Golf Saudi’s equivalent men’s tournament, the PIF Saudi International presented by SoftBank, which is played on the Asian Tour. This investment reflects PIF and Golf Saudi’s commitment to driving inclusivity and opportunity within golf for all ages, genders, and demographics.
The teams, which are drafted ahead of the event, will compete over the first two days for a US$500,000 prize. Following this, the top 60 performers and any tied players from days one and two advance to a second phase where they will compete individually against one another for the remaining US$4.5 million purse.
World No. 9 Charley Hull won the last professional women’s golf event in Riyadh at the 2024 Aramco Team Series presented by PIF – Riyadh
Star English golfer Charley Hull said: “Winning the Aramco Team Series event in Riyadh last year was a huge moment for me. I felt really sharp all week, and to lift the trophy after such a strong three rounds gave me a lot of confidence. It is great to come back to the same venue to compete in the PIF Saudi Ladies International, I know this course suits my game, and I’m excited to see what I can do this time around.
“Across women’s sport there are very few examples of where we can compete for prize money that is remotely equitable with the guys. So the commitment of PIF and Golf Saudi is really exceptional.”
Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit returns to Riyadh Golf Club as the PIF Saudi Ladies International defending champion
Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit said: “The sustained support given to the Ladies’ European Tour has really provided an amazing platform for pros to play for meaningful prize money outside the U.S.A. Winning the 2024 Saudi Ladies International gave me a lot of belief back in my game, so I am especially proud to be returning to a course where I’ve had success, and I’m ready for the new challenge.”
PIF sponsors a variety of sports internationally and locally. In tennis, PIF is the only global partner of both the WTA and ATP tours and the first-ever naming partner of both rankings. In January 2024 PIF established a new Electric 360 partnership with Formula E, Extreme E and E1 powerboat racing to support the growth of sustainable motorsports globally.
PIF’s program of sponsorships uncovers new potential, investing in people, initiatives and partnerships that drive positive impact on the global stage. PIF is a catalyst for transformation globally, uplifting and enhancing sports for players, fans, tournaments, and stakeholders at every level.
