After much talk in recent months, Saudi International's time has finally arrived. Leader after the first lap at -8, Matteo Manassero is not the only one to be in the spotlight…

Saudi International at the center of controversy

Royal Greens Golf & Country Club host Saudi International – via Twitter @asiantourgolf

Super Golf League flagship Saudi International, a former DP World Tour sanctioned tournament has finally begun. Rumors and announcements have been rife in recent weeks about the Super Golf League, a circuit funded by Liv Golf Investments, managed by Greg Norman.

Relations having been more than tense between the authorities of the PGA Tour, the European Tour and the Asian circuit, a large number of world-class players finally took the start of the event with, among others, the defending champion and former world number 1 Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, Tommy Fleetwood or even the French number 1 and fourth in the event last year, Victor Perez.

However, if the tensions seemed to have lessened, the latest rumors could put oil on the fire. The investors of the Super Golf League would not be afraid to take the risk since they would go to blows of millions to poach players in order to make them join the circuit.

Ian Poulter, also known as the Postman or Mr. Ryder Cup is one of the players who received an offer to join the circuit of Greg Norman. According to the British media, this offer would amount to 27 million euros. Although the offer may seem attractive, accepting it would not be without consequences, especially in view of future participation in the Ryder Cup.

Lee Westwood or Dustin Johnson would also have been approached, but the Englishman and the double major winner preferred to kick in touch during the press conference.

Phil Mickelson, used to digging up controversy, did not hide from the cameras: “I think all the players have been contacted. I don't think any of the players haven't. »

With a real goal of putting their circuit on the front of the world stage, Greg Norman and Liv Golf Investments would tackle even the biggest stars of the PGA Tour, like the overpowered American Bryson DeChambeau with a proposed contract exceeding 100 millions of euros.

Stay tuned…

Find the complete leaderboard of Saudi International in by clicking here.

By Baptiste Laurensou.