RIYADH: Some of the best golfers in the world were making their final preparations on Thursday for the fifth and final event of the 2023 Aramco Team Series, presented by Public Investment Fund, which tees off at Riyadh Golf Club on Friday.

Individual and team titles are up for grabs at the event, which marks the first time a professional women’s golf tournament has been hosted in the Saudi capital.

Among those vying for glory is Lilia Vu, the American world No. 2, who has had a sensational season so far, winning two major championships: the Chevron Championship and AIG Women’s Open.

“Winning an Aramco Team Series event would be a great achievement and this is the aim,” she said. “I played in one earlier this year — it was a really fun event and it would be really cool to win.

“The team element is super fun. It’s something different and really makes golf feel like a team sport. It’s something I’ve not played a lot of but team format is always fun; you’ve others to lean on and work alongside to help realize that goal of winning.”

Another leading contender eyeing success at the event is England’s Georgia Hall. The world No. 18 has already earned a victory in this year’s Aramco series, in the team event at London’s Centurion Club in July, and is looking to add to that this weekend.

“It would mean a lot to win this week,” she said. “Winning the team series title for the first time in my home country was so much fun and particularly special. I’ve played in a few of these events now and I’d like to experience those feelings again.”

Hall, who has fond recent memories of Saudi Arabia having won the Aramco Saudi Ladies International at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City in 2022, was impressed by the condition of the championship course in Riyadh ahead of the start of the competition on Friday.

“I’m really used to playing at Royal Greens in Jeddah, so it’s nice to change it up,” she said. “The golf course looked in really good shape when I arrived. I managed to get out there today and hit a few balls. It’s in fabulous condition and I’m looking forward to it.”