Saudi International Leaderboard, Preview, TV Times

Justin Rose, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau all play

World Number 1 Justin Rose is in the field for the Saudi International
World Number 1 Justin Rose is in the field for the Saudi International
(Image credit: Getty Images)

A star-studded field featuring World Number 1 Justin Rose will tee it up in the Saudi International at the Royal Greens G&CC in Saud Arabia this week on the European Tour.

Saudi International Leaderboard, Preview, TV Times

There’s a great field in this event, the first time it has featured on the European Tour. Justin Rose will play at Royal Greens G&CC together with Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and Dubai Desert Classic winner Bryson DeChambeau.

Rose travels to Saudi Arabia following his impressive victory in the Farmers Insurance Open last week in San Diego. The World Number 1 will go up against three more of the top-five on the Official World Golf Ranking – Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau.

Speaking before the event Brooks Koepka said he was looking forward to the experience.

Brooks Koepka

Brooks Koepka

“I started my professional career in Europe and the diversity of tournaments and experiences I enjoyed has undoubtedly helped broaden my game and helped me to perform on the international stage. It’s always exciting to line up against the best players in the world and I am looking forward to experiencing the culture of a new country,” he said.

Other big names in the field include, Patrick Reed, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson and Ernie Els.

The Tournament will take place within King Abdullah Economic City at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, which is situated along the spectacular Red Sea coastline. The Club boasts a premier championship golf course, a state-of-the-art clubhouse, a world-class practice facility and stunning residential and recreational facilities.

The course opened for play in 2018 and was designed by David Sampson of European Golf Design. The par-70 track is built through natural desert areas over rolling terrain, passing four lakes that feature on five holes.

The weather forecast is for 28 degrees and sun but wind could be a factor, particularly in the afternoons.

Venue: Royal Greens G&CC, King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia Date: Jan 31 – Feb 3 Course stats: par 70, 7,010 yards Purse: $3,500,000 Defending champion: Inaugural Event on European Tour

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TV Coverage: Thursday 31 – Sky Sports Golf from 8am Friday 1 – Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event from 8am Saturday 2 – Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event from 9.30am Sunday 3 Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event from 9.30am

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Players to watch:

Matt Wallace

Matt Wallace

Matt Wallace – The Englishman has been playing tremendous golf for the past year and his form continues – He was runner-up to Bryson DeChambeau last week in Dubai.

Justin Rose – The winner last week at Torrey Pines, Rose is the best player in the world right now, as his ranking confirms. He looks like winning every week he tees it up at this point.

Byrson DeChambeau – It might be an interesting duel between DeChambeau and Rose as the American is also on winning form. He was champion in Dubai last week and has won four times in his last nine starts.

Key hole: 16th – A stunning par-3 of 180 yards played along the Red Sea coast. When the pin is set on the left side of the green, it’s tempting to attack but anything drawing too much could end up in the water.

Fergus Bisset
Contributing Editor

Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He has also worked with Golf Monthly to produce a podcast series. Called 18 Majors: The Golf History Show it offers new and in-depth perspectives on some of the most important moments in golf's long history. You can find all the details about it here.  

He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly. 

Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?