Most players only celebrate a victory, but for young English golfer Annabell Fuller playing in only her second season on the Ladies European Tour, a third-place finish in the PIF Saudi Ladies International is life-changing.
By sinking a crucial birdie putt on the 18th green at Riyadh Golf Club to put her into out-right third position, Fuller takes home a cheque for $270,000. That’s $200,000 more than she earned in her entire first season on the LET.
“I was saying to my parents last week, this kind of tournament is life-changing,” Fuller told reporters after signing for a final round 71 on Saudi soil. “Golf isn’t cheap and neither is travelling,” the 22-year-old added. “So having the opportunity to earn at this level is huge. It really helps make a career in the game more sustainable.”
PIF Saudi Ladies International offered ground-breaking prize purse
Fuller was part of the 112-strong field who teed off in the PIF Saudi Ladies International tournament, which carried a landmark $5 million total prize fund, making it one of the most lucrative events in women’s golf. The purse was a historic first, matching like-for-like the men’s equivalent event.
PIF Saudi Ladies International – a unique tournament format for women’s golf
The PIF Saudi Ladies International was a unique three-day event, combining two tournaments – a fun fourball better-ball team event and an individual 54-hole event. The team trophy went to Team Somi Lee with a sensational 32-under-par total for two rounds, while Thailand’s superstar player Jeeno Thitikul won the individual championship on 16-under-par, four shots clear of the field, with a dominant display of golf.
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