- First event of the 2026 Ladies European Tour is at Riyadh Golf Club from Feb. 11-14
RIYADH: With the biggest purse of the year outside the majors and a star-studded field from around the globe, the PIF Saudi Ladies International will open the 2026 Ladies European Tour schedule at Riyadh Golf Club from Feb 11-14.
The Golf Saudi-backed season opener and the first of five marquee PIF Global Series events spread across the LET’s global calendar, the PIF Saudi Ladies International has attracted a host of major champions, 11 Golf Saudi ambassadors, while Singapore’s Shannon Tan, the 2025 LET Order of Merit winner, makes her 2026 competitive return.
Central to the tournament will be Go Golf, Golf Saudi’s development program designed to demystify the game for all ages. Through interactive clinics and “have-a-go” sessions, the initiative will introduce hundreds of beginners to the basics of the swing in a pressure-free environment.
Building on the momentum of 2025, in which Jeeno Thitikul claimed a historic victory with a record 16-under total, the 2026 edition features a field that elevates the event to new levels. The presence of world-class players from the LET and LPGA reinforces the tournament’s position as a major event of the international season.
Carlota Ciganda, a Golf Saudi ambassador and seven-time Solheim Cup star, said: “The PIF Global Series has been incredible for the game, from the level of competition to the venues and the way it supports women’s golf on a global scale. It’s something really special, and I’m genuinely excited to be playing at Riyadh Golf Club again.
“As the opening event on the LET calendar, the PIF Saudi Ladies International sets the tone for the season and provides an outstanding platform for us to compete at the highest level.”
Alongside Ciganda, two other Golf Saudi ambassadors are at the season opener: Patty Tavatanakit, former major champion and 2024 winner; and Charley Hull, two-time winner in the Aramco Team Series.
The field includes several major champions, including 2023 Amundi Evian Championship winner Celine Boutier and 2023 Women’s PGA Championship winner Danielle Kang.
The tournament marks the return of Shannon Tan, whose ascent to the top of the LET Order of Merit last year was boosted by a late-season surge during which she secured two top five finishes in her final three starts to clinch the title.
By ensuring the champion of the PIF Saudi Ladies International receives the same prize fund as the winner of the men’s PIF Saudi International, Golf Saudi is delivering on its commitment to rewarding excellence equally across its flagship professional events.
This dedication to the elite is mirrored by a commitment to the grassroots. To date, Golf Saudi has introduced more than 50,000 women and girls to the sport through national school programs and club-based initiatives, ensuring the Go Golf clinics in Riyadh are a continuation of a proven growth strategy.
The $5 million prize purse is a statement of intent in elevating women’s sports. Through Golf Saudi, this event has become a cornerstone of the international sports calendar, proving that Riyadh is a new home for world-class competition.
BY: The Times Union
