STRONG ARAB AND SAUDI LINE-UP SET FOR SAUDI OPEN PRESENTED BY PIF AT DIRAB
The Saudi Open presented by PIF, taking place at Dirab Golf and Country Club from 10-13 December, will feature one of the largest Arab and Saudi fields in the tournament’s history. The event underscores the rapid development of golf across the region and Saudi Arabia’s growing role as a host of major international competitions.
This year’s championship welcomes a strong contingent of leading Arab players from Morocco, Egypt, Kuwait, Qatar and Algeria, alongside a powerful Saudi presence comprising both professionals and amateurs. Five of Saudi Arabia’s top professionals and Golf Saudi ambassadors will compete: Othman Almulla, Saud Al Sharif, Faisal Salhab, Khalid Attieh, and Shergo Al Kurdi, in addition to a group of Saudi amateurs including Abdulhakim Alnajran, Khalid Al Qunai’bit, Ali Babtain, and His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Saud Al Faisal. Together, they form a prominent national representation facing an elite field of international players at the Asian Tour’s season-ending event.
With a prize fund of USD 1 million, the Saudi Open presented by PIF offers a highly competitive platform and a valuable opportunity for Arab and Saudi players to showcase their development, gain international exposure and strengthen their presence in the global game.
The field reflects different stages of the national pathway, from established professionals to emerging amateur talent. This year marks the first time the season finale has been hosted at Dirab Golf Club, one of the Kingdom’s established courses. The venue’s setting showcases the quality and natural landscape of courses across Saudi Arabia and the selection of Saudi players demonstrates the progress of development programmes delivered by Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation. Each player has engaged with national development structures and international competitive opportunities created over recent years. Their presence also aligns with Golf Saudi’s commitment to building an integrated golf ecosystem that supports competitiveness.
Almulla leads experienced home group
Othman Almulla, Saudi Arabia’s first professional golfer, will bring leadership and experience to the national line-up. Almulla has been part of the national golf programme for more than a decade and is one of the most experienced Saudi players in international competition. His presence at Dirab underlines the connection between the earliest phase of Saudi golf development and the new generation now coming through.
Salhab and Attieh represent the next phase of development
Faisal Salhab and Khalid Attieh continue to progress as part of the new generation of Saudi professionals, gaining competitive exposure through regional and international events. Both players have come through the national pathway and now compete regularly against leading fields in the region. Their participation at Dirab highlights how Saudi professionals are beginning to convert development opportunities into sustained careers in the game.
Sharif, Alnajran and Al Kurdi underline future potential
Saud Al Sharif remains a core member of Saudi national teams and continues to build his experience across a range of events. He is part of the group of players expected to contribute to Saudi Arabia’s competitiveness in regional golf over the coming years.
Emerging amateur Abdulhakim Alnajran and professional player Shergo Al Kurdi are among the Saudi players competing this year. Alnajran’s inclusion reflects the opportunity for promising amateurs to test themselves in a high-performance environment, while Al Kurdi represents the growing pool of talent now training and competing year-round in the Kingdom.
Dirab to host season finale
Media were welcomed to Dirab Golf and Country Club for a preview day that introduced the national players and offered an early look at the course. Journalists met the Saudi players, observed practice sessions and received briefings on the national pathway delivered by Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation. The visit included a course tour outlining preparations for hosting the Asian Tour season finale and supported broader efforts to build understanding of how national events contribute to the sport’s growth in the Kingdom.
Dirab Golf and Country Club will host the Saudi Open presented by PIF as part of the Asian Tour for the first time, serving as the season-ending event. The course has played an essential role in the development of golf in the Kingdom, helping introduce the game to new players and supporting national competition. Hosting the season finale at Dirab underscores the quality of courses now operating across Saudi Arabia and reflects the continued expansion of the national golf ecosystem in the years ahead.
ENDS
Click here for photographs from the media day today.
For further information, please contact:
Hiba Al Sabbagh
About Golf Saudi
Golf Saudi facilitates uptake and participation in golf through the delivery of world-class facilities, operational excellence, and the implementation of industry best practice to position the Kingdom as an exceptional golfing nation. Combined with grass roots training and education programmes that introduce people to the game at the earliest opportunity and with the greatest ease, Golf Saudi is committed to delivering a dynamic national development programme that transforms the golfing landscape.
Twitter: @Golf_Saudi
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Facebook: @GolfSaudi
For more information about the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers and future Golf Saudi events, visit www.golfsaudi.com
About the Saudi Golf Federation
The Saudi Golf Federation is the governing body for golf in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, responsible for handicapping, the development of golf as a sport and for delivering national tournaments. Based in Riyadh, the Federation is a full member of the Council of National Golf Unions and is committed to fully developing the game for all its citizens and residents.
About The Asian Tour
The Asian Tour is celebrated as the most vibrant, youthful and diverse golf tour in the world. It is built on a reputation for intense competition on the course and warm camaraderie off it.
The Tour, which was launched in 2004, is responsible for looking after the best interests of over 350 members, representing 35 countries managing a year-long schedule of events across five continents.
Since 2022, The International Series has featured prominently. Consisting of 10 upper-tier events integrated into the schedule, the landmark initiative provides a pathway to the LIV Golf League via The International Series Rankings.
The Tour is the official sanctioning body for professional golf in the region and a member of the International Federation of PGA Tours.
Also, it is an affiliate of The R&A and all sanctioned events qualify for Official World Golf Ranking points.
It controls its television production and distribution through Asian Tour Media (a joint venture with IMG) which broadcasts to over 100 countries worldwide.
The Tour also operates the Asian Development Tour – the popular feeder circuit that nurtures the next generation of stars.
In 2018, it set up Asian Tour Destinations – an affiliate network with exclusive, world-class golfing venues across the region.
Rolex, Kweichow Moutai and Bluewater are the Tour’s three main partners.
The Tour is headquartered on Sentosa Island in Singapore, home to the award winning Sentosa Golf Club – a member of Asian Tour Destinations.
