Thai professional golf sensation Patty Tavatanakit says she is confident of her defense chances at Riyadh Golf Club, where she won the 2024 Aramco Team Series title.
The 25-year-old LPGA player returns to the Middle East this week as one of the favourites taking part in the PIF Saudi Ladies International from February 13-15 at Riyadh Golf Club, approaching the challenge with fierce determination.
“My game feels great,” enthused Tavatanakit. “I just switched to a new coach, so I really want to focus on the process. I feel like in the off-season I hadn’t really reflected back on last year and my three wins. I just kept on working and looking forward to this year already.”
World’s best golfers will tee off in Saudi Arabia
Joining Tavatankit in the Saudi sunshine are a host of world-class players, including World No. 3 Ruoning “Ronni” Yin and England’s Charley Hull. The 28-year-old finished 2024 on a high with a win at Riyadh Golf Club in the season-ending Aramco Team Series final and says she loves the course.
“Winning the Aramco Team Series event in Riyadh last year was a huge moment for me,” admits Hull. “I felt really sharp all week, and to life the trophy after such a strong three rounds gave me a lot of confidence. It is great to come back to the same venue to compete in the PIF Saudi Ladies International, I know this course suits my game, and I’m excited to see what I can do this time around.”
What is the PIF Saudi Ladies International format?
The PIF Saudi Ladies International has a unique three-day format. Teams of four professionals play a better-ball event over 36-holes competing for the team title, before the top 60 and ties contend in a final day shoot-out to crown an individual champion. It’s fun, exciting to watch and encourages high drama and low scoring.
Players are also competing for much coveted Rolex Ranking points.
What is the prize money at the PIF Saudi Ladies International?
The trailblazing event offers a massive $5 million prize purse, the same as the men’s equivalent tournament, making this one of the most lucrative tournaments on the LET schedule and a historic first.
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