Tag: Aramco Saudi Ladies International

Aramco Saudi Ladies International set to increase purse to $5 million in 2023, matching the men’s PIF Saudi International

“This is a message to all young women that golf is for them, and they can pursue the sport as a passion and as a career.”

The Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by PIF will feature a $5 million purse in 2023, up from $1 million this year, the Ladies European Tour has announced. The purse will now equal that of the men’s PIF Saudi International on the Asian Tour.

The 2023 tournament will take place Feb. 16-19 at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City and feature a field of 120 players from the LET, Rolex Rankings and sponsor exemptions. The winner will receive $750,000.

Georgia Hall won this year’s edition. The 2023 Aramco Saudi Ladies International will be staged the week prior to the Honda LPGA Thailand.

“The increased purse for the Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by PIF is a landmark moment for our tour, and for women’s sport globally,” said LET CEO Alexandra Armas in a statement. “It will allow the tournament to grow in every way, from its purpose and impact on social change to the delivery of exceptional experiences for fans and for players at the event and in the community. This is a message to all young women that golf is for them, and they can pursue the sport as a passion and as a career.”

In addition to the Aramco Saudi Ladies International, the 2022 LET schedule also featured the Aramco Team Series, comprised of five events staged across the globe. Winners of those events this year include Manon De Roey, Bronte Law, Nelly Korda and Lexi Thompson. The final event in the series takes place this week in Saudi Arabia.

The LET’s Saudi-backed events remain controversial given the wide-ranging human rights abuses Saudi Arabia has been accused of, especially toward women.

On Tuesday at the Pelican Ladies Championship in Belleair, Florida, officials announced that next year’s renamed event – THE ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican – will feature a $3.25 million purse, the largest on tour outside of the majors and the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship.

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Kelly Whaley sets Ladies European Tour birdies record, former soccer player ties for second and Georgia Hall routs field at Aramco Saudi Ladies International

Hall cruised to victory at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, but two others had incredible weeks as well.

Kelly Whaley tied the course record with a 63 and set an Ladies European Tour mark with eight straight birdies.

Former soccer player Kristyna Napoleaova, who’s only been playing the game for six years, tied for second.

But it was Georgia Hall who routed the field Sunday en route to a five-shot win in the 2022 Aramco Saudi Ladies International.

Hall shot a 71 and finished 11 under to win for the first time on the LET in nearly four years.

“It’s fantastic to win in March, so early in the season,” she said. “I really love this place and love the golf course.” Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia, hosted the event.

She birdied two of her first three holes to build her lead to seven shots and cruised from there.

“That was the plan in my head,” she said. “The front nine is a little bit easier, a little bit less wind than we’ve had, so I tried to take advantage and hit some really good shots on the front nine to get me further ahead, and that kind of settled me.”

Johanna Gustavsson tied for second at 6 under along with Napoleaova, an LET rookie, who was a standout soccer player in the Czech Republic before starting her golf career. Napoleaova turned pro in 2020; she only took up the game in 2016 and the Saudi event was just her eighth LET start.

“To be honest, it’s kind of like a dream,” she said. “I didn’t expect even to get into the event. Golf Saudi provided me with an invite, which was incredible. What happened this week is like a fairy tale. It’s been an absolutely incredible week. I’m so grateful to have been here and can’t wait to come back again.”

Emily Kristine Pedersen was solo fourth at 5 under while Carlota Ciganda was solo fifth at 4 under.

Whaley started her week with a 79 but was 16 shots better during her final round. She finished tied for sixth at 3 under.

“It is the best round I’ve ever had in a tournament,” she said. “My whole goal today was to just enjoy it and have fun, being my first international professional event. I’ve never had eight birdies in a row. Once I made about four or five, I said, ‘Okay, you’re in it now – you can’t stop.’ So I just kept giving myself opportunities and it was a lot of fun.”

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Lydia Ko withdraws from Aramco Saudi Ladies International due to positive COVID-19 test

In November of 2021, Ko won by five shots.

Last November, Lydia Ko rolled to a five-shot victory at the Aramco Saudi Ladies International. This season, however, she’ll be unable to defend her title.

Ko has withdrawn from the field due to a positive COVID-19 test. Her most recent start came at the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore where she tied for 23rd, an event won by Jin Young Ko, who earned her sixth victory in 10 starts.

The tournament will be held at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City from March 7-10.

The likes of Anna Nordqvist, Georgia Hall, Carlota Ciganda, and Bronte Law are expected to compete for a $1 million purse.

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