Why Are the World’s Top Women Golfers Flocking to Saudi Arabia?

LET PIF Saudi Ladies International Tees Off
Yang Heeyoung, Choi Hyejin, Yoon Yina, Hataoka Nasa in the Field
No LPGA Event on Schedule and Huge Purse Prove Attractive

The world’s top women golfers have gathered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

They will compete in the Ladies European Tour (LET) Public Investment Fund Saudi Ladies International (total prize money of 5 million dollars), which tees off on February 11 at Riyadh Golf Club (par 72, 6,802 yards) in Saudi Arabia. It is the opening event of the LET’s 2026 season.

A large contingent of Korean players who compete on the U.S. Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour will be in the field. Yang Heeyoung, who finished runner-up at last month’s season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, will be joined by Choi Hyejin, Lee Somi, Yoon Yina, and Lee Dong-eun. In addition, Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour money winner Hong Jungmin, rookie of the year Seo Gyolim, Bang Shinsil, Yoo Hyunjo, Bae Sohyun, Kim Minsol, Ko Jiwon, Ma Dasom, Jung Yoonji, Park Hyejun, and Park Bokyeom will also compete.

Yang Heeyoung challenges for the title at the Ladies European Tour Public Investment Fund Saudi Ladies International. AP Yonhap News

One reason so many Korean players are entering is the large prize fund. The total purse is 5 million dollars (approximately 7.3 billion won). Excluding the five major championships on the LPGA Tour and the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship (total prize money of 11 million dollars), it is the richest event in women’s golf. By comparison, the total purse for a typical LPGA Tour tournament is 2 million dollars.

The absence of LPGA Tour events during this period is another factor. After staging its season opener in late January, the LPGA Tour does not hold another tournament until February 19. The second event of the 2026 season will be the Honda LPGA Championship in Thailand. That will be followed by the Asian Swing, including the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore and the Blue Bay LPGA in China. This week’s tournament is also an opportunity for players to check the results of their winter training ahead of the full start of the season.

Hataoka Nasa will compete in the Ladies European Tour Public Investment Fund Saudi Ladies International. AP Yonhap News

Not only Korean players, but many of the world’s top stars will also be in action. Hataoka Nasa of Japan, Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand, Celine Boutier of France, Charley Hull of England, and Danielle Kang of the United States, all of whom primarily play on the LPGA Tour, will be chasing the title. Defending champion Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand will not compete.

Building a strong relationship with Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), is also important. PIF sponsors this tournament and the London Championship in August (total prize money of 2 million dollars), while Saudi state-owned company Aramco serves as title sponsor of the Aramco Championship in April (total prize money of 4 million dollars), the Aramco Korea Championship in October (total prize money of 2 million dollars), and the Aramco China Championship in November (total prize money of 2 million dollars). The LET will stage a record-breaking season this year, holding 30 tournaments with total prize money of 40 million euros (approximately 69.53 billion won).