A host of the world's best players return to the Riyadh Golf Club to compete for the Saudi International this weekend. Who will win the flagship event on the Asian Tour come Sunday?
Joaquin Niemann returns to defend his title after a playoff victory over Cameron Smith and Caleb Surratt in 2024.
These are our four selections that could win the title this weekend.
Tyrrell Hatton
Tyrrell Hatton has been playing well on the DP World Tour lately, placing T5 at the BMW PGA Championship, 2nd at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, T41 at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and T14 at the DP World Tour Championship last weekend.
Other noteworthy results achieved by Hatton include a victory at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, a T6 in Riyadh, a T20 in Hong Kong, a T19 in Singapore, a T14 at the Masters, a T5 in Mexico City, a T13 in South Korea, a T60 at the PGA Championship, a T15 in Virginia, a T4 at the U.S. Open, a T5 in Dallas, a T23 in Andalucía, and a T16 at the Open Championship.
The eight-time DP World Tour winner has contested the PIF Saudi International on three occasions, placing T6 in 2021, T28 in 2022, and 5th in 2024.
Hatton has found consistency in his game lately and can lift the winner's trophy come Sunday.
David Puig
David Puig has been in solid form lately, placing T4 in Indianapolis, T50 at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, T9 at the Open de Espana, and T14 at the Link Hong Kong Open (Asian Tour).
Other notable results achieved by Puig on the DP World Tour and LIV Golf Tour this season include a 3rd at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship, a T4 at the Bahrain Championship, a T6 in Riyadh, a 4th in Adelaide, a T18 in Hong Kong, a 4th in Singapore, a T14 in Miami, a T13 in Hong Kong, T13 in Dallas, a T11 at the BMW International Open, a T19 in Andalucia, a T18 in the United Kingdom, and a T17 in Chicago.
The Spaniard has competed twice at the PIF Saudi International, finishing T53 in 2023 and MC in 2024.
Puig will be in the mix at the Riyadh Golf Club this weekend off the back of his recent results.
Talor Gooch
Talor Gooch has performed well on the LIV Golf Tour and Asian Tour during the latter half of the year, winning in Andalucia and placing 4th in the United Kingdom, T8 in Chicago, and T24 at the Moutai Singapore Open in six starts.
Other prominent performances achieved by Gooch this season include a T12 in Miami, a T13 in Mexico City, a 3rd in South Korea, and a T10 in Virginia.
The four-time LIV Golf Tour winner has made two appearances at the PIF Saudi International, finishing T12 in 2023 and T62 in 2024.
Gooch has been producing excellent results lately and can win the title in Riyadh this weekend.
Branden Grace
Branden Grace rediscovered his touch during the latter stages of the LIV Golf League season after struggling with this game, placing T4 in Andalucia, T21 in the United Kingdom, T5 in Chicago, and T4 in Indianapolis.
Additional highlights achieved by Grace this year include a T4 at the Investec South African Open Championship, a T20 in Hong Kong, and a T19 in Virginia.
The nine-time DP World Tour winner has featured twice at the PIF Saudi International, finishing T18 in 2023 and T6 in 2024.
Grace has found form lately and should enter calculations in Saudi Arabia.