Cameron Smith joins list of top names to play in Saudi International golf championship

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Australian golf superstar Cameron Smith. Supplied
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Australian golf superstar Cameron Smith. Supplied
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Updated 24 January 2023
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Cameron Smith joins list of top names to play in Saudi International golf championship

  • The event will be hosted by the Royal Greens in King Abdullah Economic City between Feb. 2 and 5 and will have a total prize pool of $5 million

Riyadh: Australian professional golfer Cameron Smith has joined a growing list of top international players confirming their participation in the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers.

The event will be hosted by the Royal Greens in King Abdullah Economic City between Feb. 2 and 5 and will have a total prize pool of $5 million.

Smith, the third-ranked Australian winner of the 2022 PGA Championship, and The Open champion will take part alongside a group of elite golfers including American Harold Varner, winner of last year’s tournament, and the top 30 players from the Asian Tour.

Although he finished fourth last year, Smith has been tipped as a title contender this year following his victory in The Open, held at St. Andrews, in Scotland in July.

Smith said: “The Saudi International championship is one of the tournaments that includes the biggest names in the season, and it is great to participate in a tournament of this size.

“I am looking forward to meeting some familiar faces alongside the stars of the Asian Tour. My experience was distinguished at the Royal Greens last year,” he added.

Last year, Golf Saudi entered a 10-year partnership with the Asian Tour. As a result of that alignment, the $5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers has become the opening event on the Asian Tour’s annual calendar.


Griezmann’s free kick seals Atletico Madrid progress in Copa del Rey

Updated 14 January 2026
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Griezmann’s free kick seals Atletico Madrid progress in Copa del Rey

  • Last year’s champions Barcelona will play at Racing Club Santander on Thursday

Antoine Griezmann’s sublime second-half free kick earned Atletico Madrid a 1-0 win at second-tier Deportivo La Coruna on Tuesday, securing their spot in the Copa del ​Rey quarter-finals.
Coming off a frustrating start to 2026 with a disappointing 1-1 draw in LaLiga against Real Sociedad and a 2-1 loss in the Spanish Super Cup to bitter rivals Real Madrid, Diego Simeone fielded a near full-strength side at the Riazor Stadium, with only goalkeeper Jan Oblak rested among regular starters.
Midfielder Conor Gallagher, reportedly ‌close to joining ‌Tottenham Hotspur, and forward Giacomo ‌Raspadori, ⁠linked ​with a ‌move to Atalanta, were also absent from the squad that made the trip to Galicia.
Atletico dictated the early proceedings, with Julian Alvarez denied by La Coruna keeper German Parreno following a sharp effort, while Matteo Ruggeri struck the woodwork in the 15th minute.
La Coruna came close to an opener ⁠when Cristian Herrera’s close-range shot was superbly saved by Atletico’s back-up goalkeeper Juan ‌Musso.
Griezmann grew into the game, narrowly ‍missing the target with ‍a fierce strike from distance that rattled the crossbar ‍in the 40th minute before the decisive moment arrived in the 61st.
Awarded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area, Griezmann stepped up and delivered a left-footed effort that curled ​into the top corner, leaving keeper German Parreno with no chance.
Atletico maintained control for much of ⁠the second half, their defensive organization under Simeone proving impenetrable for a La Coruna side that has now won just once in their last seven outings across all competitions.
Despite dominating possession and creating further chances, Atletico struggled to add to their lead, with Griezmann’s strike proving the only goal of the match.
Atletico were the first team to advance to the quarter-finals, as Real Madrid will visit Albacete on Wednesday in Alvaro Arbeloa’s debut as the club’s new manager following ‌Xabi Alonso’s departure on Monday.
Last year’s champions Barcelona will play at Racing Club Santander on Thursday.