Regularly targeted by pundits due to its place as part of the practice of ‘Sportswashing’ whereby international sporting events are used to enhance a country’s reputation, the event was a fixture of the European Tour for its first three years. The Saudi International now heavily linked with Australia’s own Greg Norman as CEO of LIV Golf Investments, a Saudi backed group looking to disrupt the professional golf scene.

Likely aided by appearance money for big names, an exceptionally high-quality field has assembled near Jeddah, with the top-30 players from last season’s Asian Tour Order of Merit also invited alongside numerous others looking to take home some of the large prize purse.

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Dustin Johnson took home his second Saudi International title last year when this event was part of the then European Tour schedule.

RIGHT: Dustin Johnson is a two-time past champion here and will defend his 2021 crown won on the European Tour at Royal Greens. PHOTO: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images.

The American closed with a two-under round of 68 in 2021 to secure his victory by two shots over compatriot Tony Finau and fellow former World No.1 Justin Rose.

Johnson was also the event’s inaugural champion in 2019 and runner-up in 2020.

COURSE: Royal Greens Golf and Country Club once again plays host to the Saudi International this week, with players set to be greeted by a layout that has yielded winning scores ranging from 12- to 19-under in the past.

Relatively short for a tournament venue in men’s golf, Royal Greens measures 6,410 metres and relies on bunkering and water hazards for much of its challenge, while the frequent winds off the neighbouring Red Sea also create difficulties for players.

Also a regular host of the Ladies European Tour, Royal Greens is located in the King Abdullah Economic City on the west coast of Saudi Arabia more than ten hours’ drive from the capital of Riyadh.

Created by European Golf Design with Dave Sampson listed as the lead architect, course construction began in 2008 but wasn’t completed until 2017, the facility now under the management of the expansive Troon Golf operation, with exceptional playing surfaces of the hardy Paspalum Dynasty.

RELATED: So-called expert golf tips for this week

PRIZEMONEY: US$5,000,000

PLAYERS TO WATCH: This list cannot start with any player other than the two-time winner Dustin Johnson.

Getting back to competitive golf last week after an extended hiatus, Johnson was solid on his way to 25th at Torrey Pines, but labelling his aptitude for Royal Greens as high is grossly misrepresenting things.

Beyond his two wins, ‘DJ’ is also a former runner-up here and holds both the tournament scoring and course records. Johnson perhaps the least likely to give any controversy surrounding the event this week much thought compared to his fellow big names, which can only help his cause.

The playing surfaces at Royal Greens are sure to be presented in exceptional condition once again this week. PHOTO: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images.

Johnson certainly won’t have it all his own way though, with the strongest ever Asian Tour field ready to take the trophy from his near permanent possession.

There are 21 others from inside the top-50 of the world rankings in Saudi Arabia this week, all determined to end Johnson’s reign in the Kingdom.

Thomas Pieters won just two weeks ago on the DP World Tour and has prior experience here, as does Graeme McDowell, the 2020 champion, who will tee it up this week.

Xander Schauffele is the next highest ranked starter after Johnson and is chasing a first win (outside Olympic Gold) since early 2019, an amazing fact given his consistent play. The American hasn’t truly been in contention of late, but should find Royal Greens to his liking.

Bryson DeChambeau shapes as another interesting prospect this week, the beastly built American one of the biggest promotional focuses for the Saudi event. DeChambeau was clearly battling injury last week and it is hard to imagine outside a major him teeing it up in any other tournament given some of the scenes at Torrey Pines and an earlier season withdrawal.

Of the expansive Aussie contingent, PGA Tour stars Marc Leishman and Cam Smith shape as our best chances as they both make their first trip here.

Leishman has been very consistent of late and if he drives the ball well should find himself near the pointy end of the leaderboard, while Smith is back on the outside looking in of the world rankings top-10 after taking a break following his missed cut and record-breaking win in Hawaii last month.

Also worthy of attention are Jed Morgan and Louis Dobbelaar, the two most recent Australian Amateur champions making the biggest starts of their young pro careers, with Morgan still brimming with confidence following a record setting win of his own at the Aussie PGA.

72-HOLE RECORD: 261 (-19, Dustin Johnson 2019).

18-HOLE RECORD: 61 (Dustin Johnson 2019) and (David Horsey 2021).

PREVIOUS AUSSIE WINNERS: No Australian has won this event.

AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman, Lucas Herbert, Jed Morgan, Wade Ormsby, Louis Dobbelaar, Ryan Ruffels, Ben Eccles, Andrew Dodt, Travis Smyth, Scott Hend and Brad Kennedy.

TV TIMES*
Round 1: Thursday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 7pm – 9pm & 10:30pm – 12:30am)
Round 2: Friday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 7pm – 9pm & 10:30pm – 12:30am)
Round 3: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 7:30pm – 1am)
Round 4: Sunday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 8:30pm – 1am)
*AEDT, check local guides