World No 1 Dustin Johnson and big-hitting Bryson DeChambeau will be two of the key figures in action at this week’s Saudi International.
The highly anticipated event, which features a host of American players, will tee off at the Al Murooj Golf Course on Thursday.
In only the third edition of the Saudi International, Phil Mickelson, Tony Finau, Kevin Na win join the European Tour regulars for what promises to be an enthralling four days of golf in the Middle East.
Johnson will tee off for only the second time since famously winning the Masters in November last year. The 36-year-old goes into the tournament as a former champion of the Saudi International after winning the inaugural event back in 2019.
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He also finished runner-up last year when Graeme McDowell claimed victory by two strokes, making it another prime opportunity for Johnson to continue his excellent run of results.
DeChambeau is also making only his second appearance since Augusta, having finished in T7 at the Sentry Tournament of Champions at the start of January.
The power-hitter has been paired alongside English duo Matt Wallace and Justin Rose for the opening two rounds, while Johnson will feature in a group consisting of Lee Westwood and Tyrrell Hatton.
There will once again be another big group of South Africans in the field, with Ernie Els eager to deliver a better performance than at last week’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
The Big Easy missed the cut, but could be in line for a big weekend at the King Abdullah Economic City.
Compleat Golfer playing editor Brandon Stone will take a lot of confidence into the event after finishing in second place last week. As will Justin Harding, who will tee off in a group with Andy Sullivan and Adrian Otaegui on Thursday.
The other local players include George Coetzee, Dean Burmester, Haydn Porteous, Justin Walters, Richard Sterne, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Jayden Schaper, Garrick Higgo and Zander Lombard.
Action will be live on SuperSport Golf (213) from 10am on Thursday morning.
