The PGA Tour’s Rookie of Year and a winner last year are among those players who were granted permission to play at a controversial tournament next month in Saudi Arabia.
Although the Tour declined to release the names or exact numbers of the people who requested releases for PIF Saudi Internationals, multiple sources told Golfweek Cameron Young, Lucas Herbert, and Cameron Champ were among those who received waivers to participate in Saudi Arabia. Releases were also granted to three Korn Ferry Tour players.
Young was awarded the PGA Tour Rookie of Year. He earned more than $6million during a debut campaign, in which he placed second five times, including at St. Andrews’ Open Championship. Herbert won in October 2021 the Butterfield Bermuda Championship and was awarded more than $2.5million in official prize money.
Davis Holman, Herbert’s agent confirmed that Herbert plans to compete in King Abdullah Economic City from February 2-5. Multiple requests for comment were not returned by representatives for Young and Champ. Champ is a three-time winner of Tour. Sources claim that both Champ and Young were granted releases to compete at the Saudi International. However, it is unclear if they intend to.
A spokesperson for the Tour declined to comment on players who had received releases.
Members of the PGA Tour must obtain conflicting event release releases in order to be allowed to play on other tours. The Tour refused waivers for members to play in a Saudi-sponsored tournament near London in 2022. This was the first tournament organized by LIV Golf, a rival league. LIV Golf and the Tour are currently locked in an antitrust suit that has caused bitter divisions among players on both circuits.
Saudi International was established in 2019 by the government’s Public Investment Fund. This fund also finances LIV Golf. The event offered lucrative appearance fees and attracted many high-profile PGA Tour players who later jumped to the LIV Golf, such as Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka or Phil Mickelson.
LIV is now suing the European circuit for having hosted the tournament as a DP World Tour stop. LIV Golf does not list the 2023 Saudi International as part of its schedule. Instead, it is listed on the Asian Tour . LIV invested more that $200 million in this event last year. This distinction explains why the PGA Tour didn’t reverse previous precedent and deny release to independent contractors.
Even allowing for players who signed with LIV Golf, the number of Tour members looking to waive their rights to the Saudi International is down significantly from 2022.
When Holman was asked why Herbert chose to play in the event, Holman replied that he enjoyed the course and that it fit well into his playing schedule after the Dubai Desert Classic.
Herbert has been competing in the Saudi International for three years. His best finish was a tie for 21st place in 2022. Champ and Young have never competed in this tournament before.
