Golf Saudi seeks LPGA co-sanctioned tournaments in the United States.
NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Shadow Creek has been chosen as the inaugural venue for the LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour to co-sanction an event in the United States, facilitated by Golf Saudi, with intentions to broaden this collaboration to other regions in the country.
The $4 million purse for a non-major event attracted 38 of the top 40 players to the Aramco Championship, which has also seen significantly larger audiences compared to previous years at this exclusive course nestled in the Las Vegas suburbs.
Participants earn points that contribute to both the LPGA Tour and LET, and the tournament is also part of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund Global Series. Golf Saudi and the PIF work together to promote and invest in the sport.
Thomas Rudy, chief investment officer of Golf Saudi, referred to the tournament as “a strong case study” for potentially extending this partnership to other areas of the U.S.
“We haven’t finalized our 2027 schedule yet — that typically occurs later in the year — but I would be surprised if we don’t have events in North America again,” Rudy stated on Saturday during the third round of the Aramco Championship. “We’re considering all possibilities, particularly in collaboration with LPGA and LET. Given the success here, we would like to replicate it in the future.”
Rudy emphasized that the PIF Global Series and Golf Saudi are not aiming to create a women’s equivalent of LIV Golf, which has attracted top PGA Tour players through substantial financial incentives and has led to an ongoing division.
“First, we’re not LIV Golf,” Rudy remarked. “Our goal is to support the finest women golfers with exceptional tournaments worldwide.”
“Our mission is not to establish another league or disrupt existing organizations. This is evident by our collaboration with sanctioning bodies. We are dedicated to delivering a high-quality product and promoting the developments in golf within Saudi Arabia.”
Saudi Arabia began its significant involvement in women’s golf in 2020 with the establishment of the Saudi Ladies Team International, which has since evolved into the Aramco Team Series and is now part of the LET schedule.
Aramco series tournaments have been regularly held in the U.S., but as independent events rather than in partnership with the LPGA, although players from that tour have participated.
“Strategically, we have two goals,” Rudy noted. “One is to be as connected as possible to the global landscape of women’s golf. The second is to convey to the world that Saudi is open for business. We are developing outstanding golf courses and a remarkable ecosystem.”
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