The PGA Tour, after much controversy, has finally agreed to the players, with some conditions to play the Saudi International, which will take place from February 3-6, 2022.

Dustin Johnson winner of Saudi International 2021 - via Twitter @SaudiIntlGolf

Dustin Johnson winner of Saudi International 2021 - via Twitter @SaudiIntlGolf

Having announced a few weeks ago, with the bodies of the European Tour, the will to work hand in hand, the PGA Tour found itself in a dead end with this Saudi International. Previously sanctioned by the European Tour, it has this year been withdrawn from the calendar of the circuit of the old continent. 

Many players such as former world number 1 Dustin Johnson were expected to participate. Dustin Johnson is also the title holder of Saudi International. Other famous players like Tommy Fleetwood, Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Bryson DeChambeau are part of a roster of around 25 players.

This tournament is therefore not sanctioned by either of the two major circuits but now by the Asian Tour, partner of LIV Golf Invesments led by the Australian Greg Norman. He will compete that same week with an important PGA Tour tournament, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

The PGA Tour, with the desire to keep its players on its circuit, threatened with sanctions players wishing to participate in this tournament from a competing circuit. A compromise was announced by Jay Monahan and the PGA Tour:

  •  “With conditions, the PGA Tour grants players to play Saudi International, February 3-6, 2022. The tournament will be played the same week as the AT&T Pebble Peach Pro-Am, so players will be requisitioned to support this event from Tour in the years to come. "
  • “Players who have played AT&T Pebble Peach Pro-Am at least once in the past five years will be allowed to play (in Saudi Arabia) on condition that they play again at Pebble Beach at least once in the following two years; players who have not played this historic tournament in the past five years will have to play it at least twice over the next three years. "

The PGA Tour therefore grants these players a few outings during the year outside its jurisdiction but under certain conditions, always with the aim of preserving its tournaments and its sponsors.

For more information on Saudi International: click here.

By Baptiste Laurensou.

Find the summary of the 2021 edition below:

Saudi International: Dustin Johnson triumphs, Victor Perez 4th