$5m PIF Saudi International to debut at Riyadh Golf Club

The tournament is the last of 10 events on the Asian Tour calendar that offer a direct pathway for players into the LIV Golf League. (Supplied)
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Updated 10 June 2024
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$5m PIF Saudi International to debut at Riyadh Golf Club

  • Defending champion Abraham Ancer expected to play
  • Tourney moved from Royal Greens Golf & Country Club

The $5 million PIF Saudi International will debut in December at Riyadh Golf Club after five years at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City.

The tournament, backed by SoftBank Investment Advisers, takes place from Dec. 4 to 7, moving into the coveted season-ending position for both the Asian Tour and The International Series, a statement from the organizers said.

Opened in 2005, Riyadh Golf Club is the capital’s premier golf course. Its par-72 championship course is set across 6,976 meters of undulating fairways. It has played host to many of the Kingdom’s leading tournaments including the Saudi Open presented by PIF, the Aramco Team Series Riyadh and the Aramco Saudi Ladies International.

Those who are confirmed to play are defending champion Abraham Ancer, 2022 champion Harold Varner III, 2019 and 2021 winner Dustin Johnson, and 2022 Open Champion Cameron Smith.

For the first time this year, the PIF Saudi International will finish on Saturday to align with the Kingdom’s weekend as players aim for the $1 million first prize.

The tournament is the last of 10 events on the Asian Tour calendar that offer a direct pathway for players into the LIV Golf League.

The champion of the season-ending International Series Rankings will secure a spot in the 2025 LIV Golf League.

In 2023, over 30 top-ranked players were eligible to play in the innovative LIV Golf Promotions event, where an additional three players qualified for the LIV Golf League.

The same will apply for this year, as the tournament will be the last opportunity for players to qualify for the LIV Golf Promotions event and, therefore, for LIV in 2025, the statement said.


Fireballs GC lock in 2026 LIV Golf roster, led by Sergio Garcia extension

Updated 19 December 2025
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Fireballs GC lock in 2026 LIV Golf roster, led by Sergio Garcia extension

  • Garcia is set to headline LIV Golf’s first all-Spanish lineup, with young stars Puig and Ballester coming off major international victories

SPAIN: Fireballs GC of the LIV Golf league have solidified their roster for the 2026 season, highlighted by the return of team captain Sergio Garcia, who has signed a multi-year extension. The Spanish legend will lead a team that includes fellow countrymen and young stars David Puig, Josele Ballester and Luis Masaveu in the league’s first all-Spanish lineup.

“Returning to Fireballs GC and LIV Golf reinforces everything we are building,” Garcia said. “With David and Josele playing well in 2025 and Luis joining the team for 2026, our identity and competitive edge are stronger than ever, rooted in pride, purpose, and our collective emotional connection to the game of golf. LIV Golf continues to set the pace globally, and I’m committed to leading this group as we push forward and keep raising the standard.”

Garcia delivered another elite season as captain in 2025, ranking ninth in the individual standings, his third top-10 finish in four LIV Golf seasons. He won his third start of the season in Hong Kong, becoming one of only three players to capture LIV Golf victories in each of the last two seasons, and continued to serve as the heartbeat and stabilizing force of a young, rising roster.

The Fireballs’ roster confirmation follows a highly successful 2025 season in which the team finished third in the regular-season standings — their highest placement since 2022 — while recording three consecutive team victories in Adelaide, Hong Kong and Singapore. The team finished inside the points in 11 of 13 events, underscoring its consistency across LIV Golf’s global schedule.

Puig returns to build on his success since turning pro to join LIV Golf in 2022, with worldwide wins in each of the last three years, including last month’s Australian PGA Championship. The Spaniard has enjoyed a rapid ascent in LIV Golf, producing his first top-24 finish in 2025 while earning points in each of his 12 regular-season starts, joining LIV star Jon Rahm as the only two players to accomplish that feat. The 24-year-old also notched four top-10 results on his way to proving his status as one of LIV’s most promising young talents.

Ballester emerged as one of the league’s most intriguing young talents after joining Fireballs GC midseason in 2025. The 22-year-old and former U.S. Amateur champion posted his first podium finish after making the playoff at LIV Golf Chicago and, most recently, he secured his first professional victory at the PIF Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisers.

Masaveu returns to Fireballs GC after making eight starts in the 2025 season and contributing to the team’s three consecutive wins. A former standout amateur who has continued to establish himself at the professional level, the 23-year-old Masaveu brings high-level competitive experience and familiarity with LIV Golf’s team environment. His return adds depth and continuity to a roster anchored by proven leadership and rising young talent, further strengthening Fireballs GC as it builds toward long-term excellence in 2026.

“This year marked real growth for me, and a lot of that comes from learning every day alongside Sergio,” Puig said. “His experience, his standards, and the way he leads have helped me mature quickly. Being a part of the Fireballs has really accelerated my development, and I’m excited to build on the growth I’ve already seen.”

Fireballs GC enter the 2026 season as the only team to post at least one tournament victory in each of LIV Golf’s four seasons. They will start the season as one of the youngest teams, with a roster designed to contend for both team championships and individual honors.