Tag: Saudi International

Pebble Beach AT&T Pro-Am field decimated by commitments to Saudi International

Five-time champ Phil Mickelson and two-time winner Dustin Johnson among those skipping Pebble.

The field for the 2022 Pebble Beach AT&T Pro-Am is likely taking a major hit, assuming the PGA Tour grants waivers to the slew of players who are preferring to play in the Saudi International in February.

That means five-time champ Phil Mickelson won’t be at Pebble Beach. Nor will two-time winner Dustin Johnson. Or Bryson DeChambeau, Sergio Garcia, Xander Schauffele, Adam Scott or Bubba Watson among many others.

On the flip side, the 2022 Saudi International, in its first year on the Asian Tour schedule, features the strongest field in the history of the tour.

In past years the PGA Tour granted releases to its members for the first three Saudi Internationals when it was a European Tour event. Last summer the PGA and European tours announced a strategic alliance, which removed the Saudi event from the European Tour (now DP World Tour) schedule and was widely interpreted as a joint effort to stymie any rival tours.

Others seeking to skip Pebble for the Saudi: Graeme McDowell, Abraham Ancer, Lee Westwood, Tommy Fleetwood, Henrik Stenson, Kevin Na, Jason Kokrak, Tyrrell Hatton, Adri Arnaus, Rafael Cabrera Bello, Paul Casey, Jason Dufner, Shane Lowry, Joaquin Niemann, Louis Oosthuizen, Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson, Harold Varner III and Jhonattan Vegas.

Due to changes on the PGA Tour schedule, the AT&T is the first weekend of February in 2022. For many years, that Waste Management Phoenix Open held that spot, but that tournament was pushed back a week in order to stay on the same weekend as the Super Bowl, which is a week later due to the NFL’s new 17-game regular season.

Golfweek’s Adam Woodard contributed to this article.

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Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson highlight loaded field of confirmed players for 2022 Saudi International

Some of the biggest names in golf are bound for Saudi Arabia in 2022.

Back in October, Golfweek reported that eight players asked for the PGA Tour’s permission to play in the controversial Saudi International.

On Monday when the tournament released a list of confirmed players for the 2022 on Feb. 3-6 at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, all eight appeared on the list alongside a few other notable names.

Two-time winner Dustin Johnson, 2020 champion Graeme McDowell, Abraham Ancer, Lee Westwood, Tommy Fleetwood, Henrik Stenson, Kevin Na and Jason Kokrak will be joined by Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, Sergio Garcia, Tyrrell Hatton, Adri Arnaus, Rafael Cabrera Bello, Paul Casey, Jason Dufner, Shane Lowry, Joaquin Niemann, Louis Oosthuizen, Ian Poulter, Xander Schauffele, Adam Scott, Henrik Stenson, Harold Varner III, Jhonattan Vegas and Bubba Watson in Saudi Arabia in 2022.

The PGA Tour previously said it would deny waivers for its members to take part in the Saudi International. In past years the Tour granted releases to its members for the first three Saudi Internationals when it was a European Tour event. Last summer the PGA and European tours announced a strategic alliance, which removed the event from the European Tour schedule and was widely interpreted as a joint effort to stymie any rival tours.

In its first year as part of the Asian Tour schedule, the 2022 Saudi International features the strongest field in the history of the tour.  The Saudis previously made a $100 million investment in the Asian Tour.

“History will reflect upon how developments like the Saudi International and Golf Saudi’s partnership with the Asian Tour helped see in a new era in the professional game,” said Cho Minn Thant, CEO of the Asian Tour, via a media statement. “With the right guidance, it’ll be the sport that benefits most, with more top athletes from across a wider geographical spectrum present at the very top level and more interest from a more diverse and committed group of stakeholders.”

Since the inaugural Saudi International in 2019, the tournament has been widely criticized as part of the government’s effort to “sportswash” its human rights abuses, same as LIV Golf Investments, the new golf venture backed by the Public Investment Fund which operates on behalf of the government of Saudi Arabia.

“Whilst this is a product of many factors, there is no denying the massive impact the best players in the world can have on creating multi-generational interest in the sport. This is why we place such importance on securing the strongest field possible, each and every year,” said Majed Al-Sorour, CEO and Deputy Chairman of Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation, via a media statement. “While we do not allow ourselves to be distracted from our long-term objectives by any external voices, we have been encouraged by strengthening discussions around the importance of fresh competition and innovation in the professional game.

“We are strong advocates for this, as we see it as the only way to achieve golf’s true global potential and realize the game’s considerable untapped value. All we will say is it is better for the sport if the competition remains healthy and respectful, as opposed to hostile, as all parties look at new ways to benefit this great game.”

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Exclusive: Eight players ask PGA Tour permission to play controversial Saudi event

The PGA Tour previously said that it would deny waivers for its members to take part in the controversial event.

Eight PGA Tour players—including world No. 2 Dustin Johnson—are seeking permission to compete at the Saudi International tournament, Golfweek has learned. The Tour previously said that it would deny waivers for its members to take part in the controversial event.

Tour players need to obtain a release to compete on other circuits. A Tour spokesperson confirmed to Golfweek that a decision on waiver applications is not required until 30 days before a tournament starts. The Saudi International is scheduled for February 3-6 at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City, meaning players might not learn if they will be permitted to play until Tuesday, January 4.

PGA Tour members who choose to compete without obtaining permission are subject to disciplinary proceedings, most likely in the form of a fine.

“We have requested a release and don’t know when we’ll hear back, but I have heard verbally that the Tour is still taking everything under consideration,” said David Winkle, Johnson’s longtime agent.

The Saudi International is the latest front in a battle over the future of professional golf as the PGA and European tours try to fend off a proposed rival circuit, known as the Super Golf League, which would be financed by the Saudis. The Super Golf League has been courting golf’s biggest stars with a promise of huge pay days—more than $30 million, in some cases. The concept has been pitched for more than seven years but no player has yet signed on.

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has made clear that any member who joins the rival tour will face a lifetime ban. Several prominent players are known to be flirting with the Saudi league. Others, notably world No. 1 Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy, have publicly rejected Saudi overtures.

Since its inception in 2019, the Saudi International has been widely criticized as part of the government’s effort to “sportswash” its human rights abuses. The Kingdom has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in sports to improve its international image, including Formula One, tennis, horse racing and wrestling. The purse for the ’22 Saudi International is $5 million, up from $3.5 million in 2021. Those are paltry numbers by PGA Tour standards—the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, which will be held opposite the Saudi event, has a purse of $8.7 million—but the Saudis draw an elite field by paying lavish appearance fees and chartering aircraft for players. Among those who have been paid to play are Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka.

Golfweek has obtained a current list of players who have already applied for a release to compete in Saudi Arabia in February. It includes Johnson, the defending champion who also won the title in 2019, and 2020 winner Graeme McDowell. The others are: Abraham Ancer, Lee Westwood, Tommy Fleetwood, Henrik Stenson, Kevin Na and Jason Kokrak, who is sponsored by Golf Saudi. PGA Tour policy requires players seeking releases to specify the event they wish to play and not just a week on the calendar.

Asked to confirm waiver applications by the above named players, a PGA Tour spokesperson said, “As a matter of practice, the PGA Tour does not comment on potential requests for conflicting event releases.”

Clare Fleetwood, wife and manager of Tommy, confirmed that he has applied for a waiver but said no decision has been made on whether he will compete in the event. Requests for comment by representatives for other players were not answered. One agent told Golfweek that some elite players are believed to have signed multi-year agreements to appear at the Saudi International, deals that would be jeopardized if the Tour denies a waiver.

The PGA Tour previously granted releases to its members for the first three stagings of the Saudi International when it was sanctioned as part of the European Tour schedule. When the PGA and European tours announced a strategic alliance last summer—a move widely interpreted as a joint effort to stymie the Saudi’s rival tour—the tournament was booted from the European schedule. The 2022 Saudi International will be conducted under the auspices of the Asian Tour, in which the Saudis made a $100 million investment after failing to garner support for their Super League ambitions in Europe.

In July, Golfweek reported that the PGA and European tours planned to deny permission to members who wanted to compete in Saudi Arabia. At the time, the PGA Tour confirmed that releases would not be granted for tournaments that aren’t co-sanctioned. Since the PGA Tour has previously granted waivers for members to compete on the Asian Tour, Golfweek asked what might justify a change in policy to deny releases this time.

“We don’t have anything further to add to our comments in July,” a spokesperson said.

“It’s a complex issue for the Tour,” Winkle acknowledged. “I don’t know how they have to view this internally, but Dustin has gone over three years and gone 1st, 2nd, 1st and put golf on the map in a new part of the world. He’s earned the right to defend his title. I hope it doesn’t turn into some kind of line in the sand. I don’t think anybody wins in that situation.”

Johnson has won the AT&T Pro-Am twice and played every year of his career except 2021, when he withdrew two days beforehand, shortly after his victory in Saudi Arabia. Winkle says Johnson was torn about the schedule conflict in February but has prioritized defending his title in the Middle East. “You can’t find a player near the top of the world rankings that has supported the AT&T Pebble Beach tournament more than Dustin has,” he said.

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Exclusive: PGA Tour will deny stars permission to play controversial Saudi International

The move will be seen as an escalation in a battle that pits the PGA and European tours against the Saudi government.

The PGA Tour will refuse to allow some of its biggest stars to play in the controversial Saudi International tournament next year, Golfweek has learned. PGA Tour members must obtain a waiver to compete on other circuits and the Tour has signaled to managers that permission will not be granted because the Saudi event is no longer sanctioned by the European Tour, which also plans to deny permits for its members to compete.

The move will be seen as an escalation in a battle for the future of professional golf that pits the PGA and European tours against the Saudi government, which has been pushing a Super Golf League concept that would lure elite players to a breakaway tour with guaranteed paydays of up to $30 million.

Asked to confirm that releases will not be given to players for the Saudi tournament, a PGA Tour spokesperson replied: “You are correct. This follows a PGA Tour longstanding policy of not granting releases to unsanctioned events.”

Since its inception in 2019, the Saudi International has been widely criticized as an effort by the regime in Riyadh to ‘sportswash’ its human rights record by leveraging golf to improve its image. Despite the controversy, the event has attracted many star players thanks to lavish appearance fees — up to several million dollars in some cases — and chartered private aircraft to and from the Mideast. World No. 2 Dustin Johnson has won the tournament twice while Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka are also among those who have been paid to play.

“There is lots of rumor and speculation floating about as it relates to the Tour’s position on the 2022 Saudi International. It would be premature for me to comment on it, given that we have not yet applied for a release from the Tour,” said Johnson’s manager, David Winkle. “However, given that Dustin has played in the event the past three years and would be returning as their defending champion, I have no doubt he would be quite disappointed if the Tour potentially denied his release.”

“I also think it is important to note that he is in a unique position, having played in the tournament since its inception and has, without question, helped put golf on the map in the Kingdom,” Winkle added. “In doing so, I hope he has helped grow the game in a region where golf is still a relatively new thing.”

The European Tour officially sanctioned the first three editions of the Saudi International, but a spokesman declined to comment on whether its members would be permitted to play the fourth staging, saying the 2022 schedule and player regulations had not yet been published. However, two senior figures with knowledge of decision-making at the European Tour confirmed to Golfweek that waivers will also be denied to its players.

The Saudi International is typically held in early February at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City. Tournament organizers have previously announced high-profile commitments to the field up to three months in advance, suggesting that the timeframe when players would be seeking waivers from either tour to compete is imminent. PGA Tour members who play the Saudi stop without receiving a waiver would be subject to disciplinary proceedings. One Tour source said any punishment would likely be a monetary fine rather than a suspension.

Multiple sources told Golfweek that the 2022 Saudi International could be conducted under the aegis of the Asian Tour, which is headquartered in Singapore. The Saudis recently made a significant investment in the Asian Tour — ball-parked by two sources at $100 million — in an effort to gain traction for their global ambitions in golf. When asked if waivers would be granted to players if the Saudi International is officially sanctioned by the Asian Tour, a PGA Tour spokesperson responded, “We’d prefer not to speak to hypotheticals on matters pertaining to PGA Tour regulations.”

Specifics on the Saudi investment in the Asian Tour have not been announced by either party. One golf industry executive with extensive ties to the Asian market believes the deal will likely involve guaranteeing purses at a number of regular Asian Tour stops (the prize funds of which are typically around $1 million) with the goal of eventually holding several highly lucrative events for elite stars, with purses in the $15-$20 million range.

The Asian Tour deal weds the Saudis to a global tour with a seat on the board of the Official World Golf Rankings, opening the door to potentially conferring valuable ranking points on any Saudi-backed tournaments. The Super Golf League concept would not qualify for ranking points without an affiliation with a major tour. World rankings are one of the criteria by which players can gain admission to compete in major championships regardless of whether they play in PGA Tour or European Tour events.

It’s unclear if the Asian Tour partnership signals a potential abandonment of the Super Golf League idea in favor of an attempt to corral golf’s elite stars on a more limited basis, or if it’s merely a staging post toward the ultimate goal of creating the League. While the Super League has been pitched in various forms for at least seven years, it has thus far failed to entice a single golfer to commit. Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm have both publicly rejected the splinter tour idea and PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has made clear that any member who commits to the Saudi-backed scheme risks a lifetime ban.

Despite the threatened consequences, players continue to flirt with the concept. As recently as the Open Championship two weeks ago, at least five players — all of whom have won majors — had written offers from the Saudis, according to a well-placed agency executive familiar with the discussions.

None of those players have yet opted to publicly commit to the League and risk being benched by the PGA Tour while the legality of such a ban is litigated. That in turn has led some seasoned observers to suggest players are using the rival League threat as leverage to secure a greater share of revenue from the PGA Tour.

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Dustin Johnson cruises to victory at Saudi International

Dustin Johnson shot a largely mistake-free 68 in Sunday’s final round to capture his ninth European Tour victory.

Dustin Johnson was steady and solid — two words often used to describe the World’s No. 1 player — as he closed out yet another victory, this time the Saudi International at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City.

DJ shot a largely mistake-free 68 in Sunday’s final round, making his only bogey of the week (he did have one double in the third round) on the 16th hole before bouncing back with a birdie on No. 17 to put his ninth European Tour victory on ice.

Sunday’s final round was less eventful than, say, Friday, when Johnson struck a marshal with his drive on the 10th hole. He finished the tournament at 15 under, two strokes ahead of Tony Finau and Justin Rose, who tied for second.

“I knew I was hitting it well,” Johnson said after the victory. “I kept giving myself chances. I didn’t hole any of them, but I kept making good shots.”

Other notables included Viktor Hovland and Tyrrell Hatton, who finished T-6 at 11 under and Bryson DeChambeau, who was 8 under for the tournament.

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Dustin Johnson makes his move, leads after third round at Saudi International

There was plenty of golf to be played on Saturday at the Saudi International, a perfect match for a hot streak from the World’s No. 1 player.

There was plenty of golf to be played on Saturday at the Saudi International, a perfect match for a hot streak from the World’s No. 1 player.

Dustin Johnson finished his lightning-delayed second round on Saturday morning in impressive fashion, dropping birdies on half of his final six holes for a scorching 64. He then followed with another solid 66 in the afternoon in the third round, giving him a two-stroke lead heading into the final round at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City.

Johnson sits at 13 under while Victor Perez used a pair of 66s to move into second place all alone at 11 under. A quartet of players, including Tyrrell Hatton and Tony Finau, sit tied for third at 10 under.

On Friday, Johnson came out of the gates quickly before an incident in which he struck a marshal with his drive on the 10th hole. That didn’t slow him down, however, and he maintained that momentum all the way through Saturday.

In fact, Johnson nearly eagled the final hole of the day, but his putt barely missed high.

Other big names still in contention include Viktor Hovland, Martin Kaymer and Sergio Garcia, who all sit four back at 9 under. Garcia shot a 64 in the third round to get back near the top.

Bryson DeChambeau shot a 68 and sits at 7 under with one round remaining.

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Bryson DeChambeau angry with putt that drops; weather delays Saudi International

A lengthy lightning delay and then poor light forced the second round of the Saudi International to be suspended early.

A lengthy lightning delay and then fading sunlight forced the second round of the Saudi International to be suspended early, but some big names were near the top of the leaderboard as Friday’s action concluded.

Ryan Fox shot his second straight 65 and is officially the leader at 10 under, although Stephen Gallacher has the same score after completing 10 holes of his second round.

Action will resume early Saturday morning and the third round will be a two-tee start as organizers try to get caught up at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City.

Dustin Johnson is in a four-way tie for second at 8 under, two shots off the lead, although he had an interesting moment when he struck a marshal with his drive midway through the round.

Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose are both 7 under while Viktor Hovland, Tony Finau and Tyrrell Hatton are among those at 6 under.

Bryson DeChambeau struggled on the day, posting a pair of late bogeys before play was halted, and is currently 4 under 32 holes of play.

The reigning U.S. Open champ did have one of the funnier moments of the day, however, as he was upset with a par putt on the 6th hole and started to follow the ball angrily.

He was happy with the result, however.

Others who are still in the hunt include Phil Mickelson and Martin Kaymer at 5 under, and Sergio Garcia, who sits with DeChambeau at 4 under.

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Watch: Dustin Johnson’s drive in Saudi Arabia drills a volunteer (who drops like a rock)

Dustin Johnson, who shot a 67 in Thursday’s opening round, scorched a drive long and left on the 10th hole. The result is painful to watch.

One thing’s for certain if you’re working a professional golf tournament — make sure you keep an eye on those teeing off on the hole you’re working.

That advice was lost on a volunteer at the Saudi International who wasn’t watching when World No. 1 Dustin Johnson pulled out his booming driver during Friday’s second round of European Tour action.

Johnson, who shot a 67 in Thursday’s opening round, was playing well again through the front on Friday when he scorched a drive long and left on the 10th hole.

A volunteer working the event was struck in the back and dropped immediately after being hit.

Fortunately, the volunteer popped right back up and seemed OK, although the commentators reminded us that this might leave a mark.

“You can take away the pain, but you can’t take away the swelling.”

There’s no official word yet on his condition.

As is to be expected, this led to the Twitterverse erupting.

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Bryson DeChambeau in the hunt, David Horsey leads at Saudi International

David Horsey leads the European Tour’s Saudi International after the first round while Bryson DeChambeau trails by four shots.

After missing the cut in his previous two appearances in Saudi Arabia, David Horsey is leading the way at the Saudi International.

The 35-year-old Englishman was on 59 watch after beginning the event on a roll. He began his round with two birdies and then went on a roll after the turn. He began the back nine with five straight birdies, adding two more on 16 and 17 to sign for a 61 at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.

“It’s a shock, actually,” Horsey said, according to the European Tour. “I’ve been playing rubbish the last couple of weeks. Didn’t feel like I controlled my ball the first two events.

“Had a conversation with a pal back home last night, talking a few things through and suggested something that I work on away from the tournament. I thought, well, can’t get any worse, so I may as well try it and here we are.”

Horsey missed the cut in his last two events, a T-67 at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and a T-89 at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

One shot behind Horsey is Stephen Gallacher who birdied five of his last six holes take solo second after Round 1. Bernd Wiesberger shot a bogey-free 64 to claim third. Five golfers including Bryson DeChambeau sit T-4 at 5 under. The reigning U.S. Open winner began his round with a bogey on 11 but rattled off three birdies in four holes to complete his first nine. He added four more birdies on the front nine to finish 5-under 65.

World No. 1 Dustin Johnson and 13 others including Lee Westwood and Tyrell Hatton sit T-17 is at 3 under.

Waste Management Phoenix Open Preview

Golfweek’s Gabe Gudgel previews the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale.

Golfweek’s Gabe Gudgel previews the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale.