Golf

European players permitted to take part in Saudi International

Shane Lowry among those who are set to compete in February’s lucrative event

Shane Lowry is among the European players listed in the field for the Saudi International. Photograph: Ross Kinnaird/Getty

Ewan Murray
Wed Jan 5 2022 - 13:15

The DP World Tour – the recently rebranded European Tour – will grant permission to players to play in next month’s controversial Saudi International following weeks of intense negotiations.

By Monday’s deadline, between 30 and 40 members of the tour had requested releases to play in the Asian Tour-run event near Jeddah, from February 3rd. It is sponsored by the Saudi public investment fund and carries huge appearance fees.

Despite speculation relating to the potential banning of European players for competing in the Saudi International, dismissed by some as little more than a cash grab, it is understood they should be informed this week that releases will be granted with conditions attached, relating to future commitments to DP World Tour tournaments. Should those conditions not be met there is scope for disciplinary action, but player power has seemingly won the day. Until now, the Tour has only publicly stated that it is considering each player’s application on merit.

The Saudi International has publicised a field including the likes of Paul Casey, Tommy Fleetwood, Sergio García, Tyrrell Hatton, Shane Lowry, Henrik Stenson, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood. All required DP World Tour grace. It remains to be seen how seriously, if at all, Stenson's ongoing Saudi involvement harms his aspirations of being Europe's 2023 Ryder Cup captain. Whether or not top golfers are independent traders or bound by membership criteria of tours has been the subject of much debate.

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The tournament was once the domain of the then-European Tour and prior to Saudi Arabia's attempts to make significant inroads into the professional game, seeing them cold-shouldered both by that body and the PGA Tour. Saudi Arabia's hefty financial commitment to golf has seen Greg Norman hired as head of an investment group, which will spearhead lucrative events on the Asian Tour and has aspirations of a breakaway league. Given the finances on offer, player heads have been turned.

The PGA Tour earlier confirmed members could play in the Saudi International if conditions were met, specific to the future staging of the Farmers Insurance Open if played on the same date. There was then an expectancy Europe would follow suit – the Tours have a strategic alliance – but the situation was less straightforward for an organisation which seeks tournament commitments from players in umpteen countries. In theory, the DP World Tour also has more to fear in regards to a talent drain towards a Saudi-backed scheme.

It is also expected that the DP World Tour has granted a small number of releases pursued by members wanting to feature in the Singapore Open, which sits directly against this month’s Abu Dhabi Championship. - Guardian

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