Two-time PGA Tour winner Jason Kokrak has become the second international ambassador to join Golf Saudi in 2021, following one of the sport’s biggest icons, Gary Player, in April.
The world’s No. 24 player, Kokrak, an American, will support Golf Saudi in its mission to bring the game to new audiences within the Kingdom and globally.
The announcement was made a day before he is scheduled to tee off at the 149th Open at Royal St. George’s Golf Club in Sandwich, England. This week’s tournament is one of four annual majors on the professional golf calendar.
As part of his new role with Golf Saudi, Kokrak will share his own insights on how golf can reach new audiences and ensure its future development. Kokrak has been positive in his support of Golf Saudi’s plans and at the start of 2021, he played in his first Saudi International, powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers. He made the cut, scored a respectable three under, and finished tied for 41st place.
“It was fantastic to come over as a guest of Golf Saudi earlier this year and compete in my first-ever Saudi International,” said Kokrak, who has won his first two PGA Tour titles in the past nine months.
“During my visit, I was lucky enough to see the work that is being done to draw more people to our sport, particularly young boys and girls.”
Kokrak, 36, said he is committed to expanding the game within the Kingdom, drive youth engagement, and help ensure that environmental sustainability is taken seriously within the sport.
“For me, it is a real honor to be named as Golf Saudi’s newest ambassador and to work alongside one of the most forward-thinking entities within golf currently,” he said. “I would like to share my own insights with them and do my part in terms of growing golf within the Kingdom, while also telling my own fans about the many marvels that Saudi Arabia has to offer.”
Kokrak is off to a fast start to the 2020-21 season as he has already collected victories in quick succession on both the PGA and European Tours.
The first came at Shadow Creek, one of the more exclusive courses in Las Vegas, for the CJ Cup, where a two-stroke margin was enough to see off Xander Schauffele. He then managed to overcome the crowd favorite, Jordan Spieth, at the Charles Schwab Challenge to scoop up his second tour victory in just 17 starts.
Kokrak’s win, again by two shots, saw him rocket up the world rankings and put him in contention for the US Ryder Cup team. His golf career resume includes two appearances at the Masters, eight trips to the PGA Championship and five US Opens.
“After watching Jason star in this year’s Saudi International, it was clear his form was going from strength to strength,” Majed Al-Sorour, CEO of Golf Saudi, said.
“At Golf Saudi, we think his winning journey is just getting started and as we feel this is the right time to develop a strong mutual working partnership. We want to learn from his winning mentality and together, we can support our ongoing development and grow the game of golf in Saudi Arabia.”
