The Aramco Saudi Ladies International next week features a stellar field. It also boasts a $5 million purse. This is the largest prize fund in women’s golf other than the majors and LPGA’s season-ending CME Group Tour Championship Championship. The women’s purse is now equal to that of Abraham Ancer’s men’s Saudi International. It was $1 million less than last season.
Many of the most talented players in the women’s game will be making their 2023 season debuts next week. Atthaya Thitikul, Lexi Thompson and In Gee Chun are the top players in the women’s game. 13 winners were selected.
60 players from the Ladies European Tour will compete in the 120-player field, along with 50 of the top 300 Rolex Rankings players and 10 sponsors invites. This event is sponsored by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and takes place at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, Feb 16-19. The $750,000 prize will go to the winner.
Others notable players include Yuka Saso and Yuka Saso as well as Yuka Saso and Yuka Hataoka.
The controversy surrounding the LET’s Saudi-backed events is due to the many human rights violations Saudi Arabia has been accused, particularly towards women.
There are 18 major titles among the 13 winners of the Saudi Ladies International field.
The purse is important for all players in the field. However, it is especially significant for those who are only LET and those with limited starts prior to the LPGA’s first full event of the season in March.
The LPGA is currently on a month-long vacation before returning to Singapore and Thailand for back-to-back limited field events.
Here is a closer look at the 10 participants who were invited by sponsors and are now entered into the field. There will be a mix of veteran and up-and coming players.
