There is no question that had six of the world’s top-10 ranked men teed up in Saudi Arabia this past week – as six of the top women did – you would have expected some headlines and a fair bit of scrutiny.

But there was barely a peep about the Aramco Saudi Ladies International which attracted 15 of the world’s top-30 players and more than half of the world’s top-10.

World No.1 Lydia Ko won the tournament at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in The Kingdom and with it the US$750,000 cheque.

The $US5 million purse – behind only the five majors – was a US$4 million increase from her first victory two years ago and the equal of the men’s corresponding event played three weeks ago.

That it all unfolded in virtual anonymity, however, is not a plot nor as perplexing as it is simply disappointing.

While the lack of coverage can be partially explained by Tiger Woods making his first tournament appearance since July last year (Woods tends to drown out anything and everything else in golf), it doesn’t completely explain the apathy.

Sadly, the more likely reason there wasn’t more coverage is simply a general lack of interest among the golf industry and viewing public towards women’s golf more broadly.

There are differences between the Saudi involvement in LIV Golf and what is happening with the Aramco Series of events but there are some similarities, too.

The main difference is the LIV players have chosen direct employment by the regime while the game’s top women are one step removed as it is the Ladies European Tour who are in partnership with Aramco.

At an ethical level, though, the questions are not dissimilar and at least two players who were in the field took matters into their own hands to comment publicly.

Three-time major winner Anna Nordqvist announced during the week she had chosen not to renew a personal sponsorship arrangement with Aramco because of backlash.

“I wasn't really prepared to get such an incredible amount of hatred and mean comments from people who don't even know me," she told the TT newsagency.

"Sadly, the more likely reason there wasn’t more coverage is simply a general lack of interest among the golf industry and viewing public towards women’s golf more broadly." - Rod Morri.

The other was from England’s Meghan Maclaren, an outspoken critic and previous conscientious objector to playing in Saudi Arabia.

Maclaren took to Twitter with a lengthy phone note explaining her reasons for playing then followed up with a subsequent interview with US magazine Golfweek.

“I will always believe it is better to look rather than to look away, but the world is more powerful than single individuals with limited scope for change,” she wrote.

“Using these competitive opportunities and doing what is necessary to be the best golfer I can be is quite probably my best route to increasing my platform, voice, and financial status.

“What I then choose to do with that platform, voice and financial status will hopefully make this world a better place in the long run and that will always be my aim.”

The questions professional golf and professional golfers face as the Saudi regime continue to increase their investment in the game are uncomfortable ones.

But they need to be discussed, equally for men and women, by players, officials and media alike.

The game deserves better than ignoring the actions – both good and bad – of a significant percentage of its best exponents simply because of their gender.