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 $1m 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 (KAEC), it will entail seven days of elite-level women's golf through two world-class events: Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by Public Investment Fund (PIF) taking place on Nov. 4-7 followed by the Aramco Team Series – Jeddah (Nov. 10-12). The Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by PIF returns for a second year — after its watershed 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 culmination 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 stole the headlines and 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 $1m, will see players compete for what will be the LET season's biggest purses after only 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. High profile golf events are a feature for Saudi Arabia's golf strategy; designed to inspire next generations and transform the Kingdom into a leading nation in the sport. Golf Saudi's development strategy is female inclusive by creating multiple channels and touch points for women to participate. This included the Ladies First Club initiative, which inspired 1,000 women in Saudi Arabia to join golf clubs to try the game for the first time in 2020. Majed Al Sorour, CEO Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation, said: "Our vision is to grow golf across the Kingdom, and make it both accessible and enjoyable to all men, women and children. "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. Jeddah will once again mark another step in our journey to put Saudi Arabia on the international golfing map." Free tickets are now available for the Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by Public Investment Fund (Nov 4-7) followed by the Aramco Team Series – Jeddah (Nov. 10-12) and can be secured via the Aramco Team Series website (www.aramcoteamseries.com) and the Aramco Saudi Ladies International website (www.golfsaudi.com/en-us/asli-2021). The tournament will adhere to COVID-19 protocols, as well as local and government guidelines. — SG
