Aramco Team Series confirms Shenzhen’s Mission Hills Resort as fourth stop of season

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The Aramco Team Series presented by PIF and organized by Golf Saudi has confirmed Mission Hills Resort in Shenzhen as its fourth stop of the season. (Supplied)
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The Aramco Team Series presented by PIF and organized by Golf Saudi has confirmed Mission Hills Resort in Shenzhen as its fourth stop of the season. (Supplied)
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The Aramco Team Series presented by PIF and organized by Golf Saudi has confirmed Mission Hills Resort in Shenzhen as its fourth stop of the season. (Supplied)
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Updated 27 August 2024
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Aramco Team Series confirms Shenzhen’s Mission Hills Resort as fourth stop of season

  • Ladies European Tour returns to mainland China for the first time in over seven years
  • Organized by Golf Saudi, the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF is a series of five events on the LET

SHENZHEN, China: The Aramco Team Series presented by PIF and organized by Golf Saudi has today confirmed Mission Hills Resort in Shenzhen as its fourth stop of the season, as the Ladies European Tour (LET) returns to mainland China for the first time in over seven years.

A cornerstone of the LET, the second Asian leg of the 2024 Aramco Team Series presented by PIF will tee-up on the acclaimed World Cup Course at Mission Hills Resort in the vibrant city of Shenzhen, October 4-6. The Jack Nicklaus-designed course will welcome an array of the world’s top talent, as they bid to win individual and team trophies, and a share of the weekend’s $1 million prize fund.

Organized by Golf Saudi, the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF is a series of five events on the LET each year, adding an annual $5 million in prizemoney. With events in destinations across Europe, Asia, North America and the Middle East, the innovative format is loved by players and fans alike, as groups of three professionals and an amateur compete against each other in the Tour’s only recurring team event.

The series heads to Shenzhen in October following events in Florida, Seoul and London already this season, with the final leg of the season set for Riyadh in November.

Noah Alireza, CEO of Golf Saudi, said: “We’re thrilled to be taking the Aramco Team Series to Shenzhen. This move not only showcases elite women’s golf to a significant audience, but also offers us an opportunity to inspire future generations in this exciting market. Joining efforts with the world-renowned Mission Hills allows us to deliver a best-in-class event that meets the quality our golfers, fans and stakeholders alike all expect with the Aramco Team Series. Together, we are poised to deliver another truly unforgettable event.”

Khalid Al-Zamil, Aramco vice president of Public Affairs, said: “We are delighted that the Aramco Team Series will be hosted in Shenzhen. At Aramco, we believe sport provides a platform to create opportunity, improve lives and positively impact society. The Aramco Team Series aims to empower female athletes, elevating women’s golf globally, inspiring future generations of athletes.”

Following a successful event in Hong Kong last year, the move to Shenzhen represents an opportunity for the tournament to continue to engage with a diverse array of spectators and showcase the elite of women’s golf.

Mission Hills Resort Shenzhen, a sprawling golf and leisure resort located in the heart of southern China’s Guangdong Province, is renowned as the world’s largest golf facility, boasting a staggering 12 golf courses, making it one of golf’s premier global destinations.

Tenniel Chu, vice chairman of Mission Hills Group, said: “Bringing the Aramco Team Series to Shenzhen represents a significant milestone for both Shenzhen and Mission Hills, heralding the return of the Ladies European Tour to China for three days of thrilling elite competition. We take immense pride in hosting this esteemed event at Mission Hills and look forward to extending a warm welcome to the international community at our breath-taking resort. Our aim is to orchestrate a memorable tournament that captivates audiences and leaves a long-lasting positive impact.”

Since its inception in 2021, the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF has continued to grow at a rapid pace on the global stage.

Alexandra Armas, chief executive officer of the Ladies European Tour said: “Returning to China is an exciting prospect for the LET, as we continue to provide our members with valuable experiences on the world’s best courses. Our aim is to continue elevating women’s golf to new heights, around the globe, and in partnership with the Aramco Team Series.”


Patrick Reed hits flawless 66 to lead Dubai Desert Classic

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Patrick Reed hits flawless 66 to lead Dubai Desert Classic

  • American finished second at Emirates Golf Club in 2023 and in the top 10 last year

DUBAI: Patrick Reed produced a flawless round of 66 to earn a one-shot lead at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

The American has a great track record around Emirates Golf Club, finishing as runner-up in 2023 and in the top 10 last year.

Reed began the second round just four shots adrift of overnight leader Francesco Molinari, but he was soon level with the Italian after two birdies and an eagle on his front nine.

Two more birdies came at the first and third to reach nine under before parring his way home for a blemish-free 66.

He sits one clear of Englishman Andy Sullivan, who carded the joint lowest round of the week with a brilliant seven-under 65.

“The game felt good. Kind of went out there and gave myself a lot of good looks, good opportunities and only missing one green today, that definitely helps,” Reed said.

“You’re able to do that around this type of golf course, you’re able to shoot a number and I was lucky enough to see a couple putts go in early and it just went from there.

“The golf course is definitely a little bit more gettable in the morning, especially a day like today because the greens are a little bit more receptive.”

Reed, starting on the back nine, made his climb with a birdie from the fringe at the 12th and was one shot behind thanks to a 42-foot eagle putt at the 13th.

He left himself seven feet at the 17th for birdie and when he drained the putt, he was co-leader at seven under.

The 2018 Masters Tournament winner hit the front on his own following a four-foot putt at the first, and he stretched his advantage to two with another birdie at the third.

Reed could not improve his score as he closed with six straight pars, with the late-starters on course.

Mikael Lindberg, who has not missed a cut since the Nexo Championship in August, continued his rich vein of recent form by closing the gap on Reed to one.

The Swede birdied three of his first four holes to climb to eight under, but successive bogeys from the first set him back.

He returned to seven under with a birdie at the third, only to drop shots at the sixth and eighth to slip back.

Sullivan kickstarted his tournament with four straight birdies from the third before adding another at the ninth to reach the turn in 30.

A sixth birdie of the day propelled him to seven under, only to go bogey-birdie-bogey from the 12th to stall him momentum.

Another dropped shot at the 16th could have derailed the 38-year-old, but Sullivan birdied the 17th before a stunning second shot into the last set up a closing eagle to jump up to eight under.

Italian pair Molinari and Andrea Pavan were one shot back, while Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard birdied five holes on the back nine for a bogey-free 67 to sit in solo fifth at six under.

Race to Dubai Rankings delivered by DP World leader Jayden Schaper carded a 68 to finish at five under alongside fellow South African Hennie du Plessis, Lindberg and Finland’s Oliver Lindell and defending champion Tyrrell Hatton.