RIYADH — Some of the biggest names in women’s golf will compete in the Aramco Team Series - London, the latest example of Aramco’s backing for sport and diversity, taking place from July 8 to 10.

The groundbreaking event features a new format that gives amateur golfers the chance to play alongside professional superstars part the Ladies European Tour.

The new innovative Aramco Team Series format, created by Golf Saudi, proved hugely popular among players in a trial run during last year’s Saudi Ladies Team International.

They will see 36 captains lead teams of four players, paired together through a draft system, with each team featuring one amateur golfer.

In addition to the team competition, professional players will also compete for the lowest individual score, for which there is a $200,000 prize available from the overall pot, alongside world and Solheim Cup ranking points.

Big names participating in this event include Lexi Thompson, making it her only appearance in England in 2021; Georgia Hall, 2018 Women’s Open winner; Anna Nordqvist, Swedish double-major winner and Emily Kristine Pedersen, Danish winner of the 2020 Aramco Saudi Ladies International.

They join a field of more than 100 Ladies European Tour (LET) players who will compete in teams of four for a total prize fund of $1 million at Centurion Club, situated just outside London. This will be the only event in the world golf where amateur players will contribute to the final result.

Former major champion, Lexi Thompson, who at age 12 became the youngest golfer ever to compete in the US Open in 2010, said: “It is really exciting to have not only a brand new format of event to look forward to, but to have another big event on the LET schedule in the UK. It’s a place I love to visit and play golf, so I can’t wait to get going in July.”

Commenting on the new format, European Solheim Cup hero Georgia Hall, said: “It’s a really great addition to the Tour that I think most of us can’t wait to get playing in. It’s a new format and it’s different — and will only be a force for good in women’s golf.

“Investment like this is fantastic to see and to be able to take the game to new venues around the world and inspire the next generation of young golfers is a really wonderful thing to be part of. Starting in London will, for me, make it extra special.”

The London tournament will be followed by three additional Aramco Team Series events that will be held in Sotogrande (Aug. 5 to 7), New York (Oct. 14 to 16) and Jeddah (Nov. 10-12). Further events are currently being planned in Asia.

The Aramco Team Series – Jeddah event will be held just days after the Aramco Saudi Ladies International, taking place from Nov. 4 to 7 for the second time after making its debut last year.

The globally acclaimed Aramco Saudi Ladies International was the first professional women’s golf event to take place in Saudi Arabia, paving the way for Aramco and Golf Saudi to extend further support to the women’s game.

Ahmed Al-Subaey, vice-president of marketing, sales and supply planning at Aramco, said: “We are thrilled to be backing events that have the potential to elevate women’s golf internationally and spur its growth in Saudi Arabia. Participation by the sport’s top golfers in the Aramco Team Series highlights its innovative nature and exciting opportunities it presents.

“When the team concept was first introduced to us, we saw it as a natural fit for our investment into world sport, particularly our continued support of women’s sport and golf.

“Aramco has a long history in golf, a sport we played a key role in introducing to Saudi Arabia in the 1940s. We now proudly look forward to further building on our heritage as we look to increase the visibility of golf in Saudi Arabia and support the Ladies European Tour in creating world-class international golf tournaments.”

Ladies European Tour CEO Alexandra Armas said: “To the LET, the Aramco Team Series – London and the subsequent team events are a massive moment of elevation for the women’s game, and to have a field as strong as we do in London is fantastic.

“As a Tour, we are always more than happy to do things a little differently — take risks, try new things, mix up the way we play and experience golf. That’s certainly what the Aramco Team Series — London promises to do.

“The action at Centurion will open an exciting new chapter in women’s golf and one we see as playing a massive role in the continued growth of the game.” — SG