Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, November 16, 2020: History was made on Sunday, November 15 when Denmark’s Emily Kristine Pedersen powered her way to Ladies European Tour golf history at the inaugural Aramco Saudi Ladies International.
The 24-year-old Dane won the title with a dramatic birdie on the first play-off hole against Georgia Hall of England after the pair had tied in regulation at 10-under-par.
As a result of the victory, Pedersen extended her lead to an almost unassailable position atop the Race to Costa del Sol rankings and collected the season’s largest winner’s check, outside of the majors, of €150,000 from a total prize fund of USD 1 million.
“It’s very special,” she said.
“I am very happy that I got to be the first person to win a tournament here and I think it is great that we are playing here. The country has a bright future in golf and hopefully we’ll be back for many years.”
The tournament was held at the Royal Greens & Country Club near Jeddah.
His Excellency Yasir O. Al-Rumayyan, Chairman of Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation, had kicked off the inaugural Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by the Public Investment Fund.
The start of the tournament was accompanied by an announcement that Saudi Arabia has also created a comprehensive national golf sustainability strategy that embraces an innovative culture and ambitious outlook across key environmental, economic and social aspects of the sport.
“The central tenet of our national golf strategy is sustainability,” said HE Yasir O. Al-Rumayyan.
“The ambition is for golf in Saudi Arabia to be recognised for taking a highly advanced approach to establishing the most socially beneficial, economically productive and environmentally responsible sector possible.
“This week’s tournament is an example of how the sport can inspire positive social outcomes.”
With only two events left in the 2020 season, the Saudi Ladies Team International will run from November 17-19 and carry prize money of USD 500,000.
To find out more about Golf Saudi, visit: www.golfsaudi.com