KAEC, Jeddah — World No.3 Dustin Johnson held his nerve in a dramatic duel in the sun to clinch the inaugural Saudi International powered by SBIA, the first-ever European Tour event in Saudi Arabia.
Having shot rounds of 68, 61 and 65 to sit 16-under par going into the title showdown alongside co-leader Haotong Li of China, the American shot a steady final round of 67 to finish on 19-under par and seal a two-stroke victory at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC).
“This feels really good. It’s great to come here for the inaugural event, to come here and be the champion,” said Johnson, who birdied the final hole to put the gloss on a sixth European Tour win, a first outside of majors and World Golf Championships events, and a prize of $583,330.
“I’m very honored to be the champion. Any time you win a professional golf tournament, no matter where it is in the world, it’s a big win,” added the champion. “I’ve got some really good friends who are very involved with this golf tournament and kind of made it happen, so I’m honored to be the champion and I’m very pleased with the win. It’s a big win and I hope to be back next year.”
Li, a two-time European Tour winner, led briefly after a birdie on the ninth hole put him one stroke ahead. Johnson then struck back-to-back birdies on holes 11 and 12 to move back in front. Li’s challenge seemed to have ended after consecutive bogeys on holes 13 and 14, but Johnson’s bogey on the 16th ensured the pair’s titanic tussle would go the distance.
“I think he deserved to win this event,” said Li, who ended the tournament at 17 under par. “It was a very good match, especially the front nine. “I wasn’t my best, but I learned a lot and especially those last few holes, it was good for me. I’m very happy to finish solo second this week.”
With Li and Johnson going head-to-head, Tom Lewis thrust himself into contention with five straight birdies to open his round. The Englishman’s challenge faded on the back nine, however, and he finished third overall at 16-under par.
Against the stunning backdrop of the Red Sea, it was a fittingly exciting conclusion to a new chapter in Saudi sporting history.
“We were always confident the Saudi International powered by SBIA would set a new marker for world-class sporting events in Saudi Arabia - and so it has proved,” said Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Chairman of the Saudi Golf Federation, the tournament organizer.
Majed Sorour, CEO of the SGF, insisted the standard of golf on show and the strong level of interest from fans of all ages demonstrated the Federation is on the right track in its mission to grow the game in Saudi and beyond.
“We have been moved by how much the players and our partners have embraced the Saudi International powered by SBIA and congratulate Dustin on such an impressive victory,” said Sorour.
“We could not have asked for a better backdrop than Royal Greens Golf & Country Club and King Abdullah Economic City to help showcase the vision for golf in Saudi Arabia. We are also truly humbled by the thousands of fans that have been introduced to the game this week, both on the course and in the Entertainment Village. Children of all ages have experienced the game for the first time at free clinics and the result has been instantaneous, with hundreds of potential Saudi champions of the future enrolling in the Federation’s junior development programs.” — SG
