Formerly a European Tour event, the Saudi International has obvious LIV Golf ties through both its location, Asian Tour status and this week’s field, which is littered with household names, many of whom now ply their trade with LIV Golf. Most notably headlined by World No.4, Australian Cameron Smith’s first outing of 2023.

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Marking its first time as part of the Asian Tour calendar, the 2022 edition saw Harold Varner III take the spoils in a grandstand finish.

On an exciting final day, the former Australian PGA Championship winner holed a 92-foot putt for eagle on the par-5 18th to reach 13-under-par for the tournament and beat his fellow American, and now Niblicks GC teammate, Bubba Watson by a shot.

COURSE: Royal Greens Golf and Country Club will again play host to the Saudi International, which kick starts the Asian Tour’s season for 2023.

RIGHT: Harold Varner holed a monster eagle putt to claim the trophy in 2022. PHOTO: Luke Walker/WME IMG/WME IMG via Getty Images.

Inevitably presented in immaculate condition that has over the years helped the winning scores to range between 12- and 19-under, the course can provide the players with some difficult decision making, largely due to the copious sand traps, water hazards and the frequent winds that kiss of the neighbouring Red Sea.

Royal Greens is not overly long for a men’s tournament venue, measuring in at 6,410 metres, which will mean there will be plenty of scoring opportunities on offer this week.

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 the hardy Paspalum Dynasty.

PRIZEMONEY: US$5,000,000

RELATED: So-called expert golf tips for this week

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Two-time champion, Dustin Johnson is again in the field having won the event multiple times when it was part of what is now known as the DP World Tour.

His first outing of the season, but is a proven performer at Royal Greens, holding both the scoring and course records around the venue.

Controversial American Patrick Reed had a good finish on the DP World Tour this past week, and even into this week due to a weather forced Monday finish.

Although it was not without controversy, the well documented run in with Rory McIlroy on the driving range before the tournament kicked off. Also, another rules situation caused social media users to act as sleuths after he told a rules official he could identify his ball up a palm tree following a wayward tee shot.

Cam Smith makes his first start of 2023 after a sparkling year in 2022. PHOTO: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images.

As per usual though, Reed thrived in the various news making situations. A final round 65 catapulted him to second behind Northern Ireland’s World No.1 McIlroy in an exciting finish at the Majlis Course in Dubai. He will be a good chance to go one better at Royal Greens this week.

It’s always feels a pleasure to watch Cameron Smith play golf. He comes into this week as one of the main men to beat, and after his 2022 season that included The Open Championship, The Players Championship and a swag of other trophies, including at home in Brisbane in his second last start of the year.

There is no denying Brooks Koepka’s class. He will start the season as the World No.51, remarkably low for a player of his calibre. Struggling with injuries since his dominant major run, Koepka comes into this week fully fit. If he brings the class that collected him those four major championships, he will prove to be tough to handle.

One of the top-quality players in the field that is not on LIV’s books, Cameron Young has impressed since making his way onto the PGA Tour.

With a 2022 that boasted a T3 at the PGA Championship and an outright second at The Open Championship, results that rightfully earned him the Arnold Palmer Award as the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year. Young will be looking to topple the field to get the first big win of his career.

Australia’s best chances, aside from Smith will be Marc Leishman and Lucas Herbert who will be eying an early season win when they both make their second trip to the Saudi International.

Herbert is coming into the week with form behind him. Finishing third behind McIlroy and Reed on the DP World Tour last week. The Victorian was seventh in strokes gained around the green in Dubai and will look to build on promising early season signs at Royal Greens this week.

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, Lucas Herbert, Marc Leishman, Matt Jones, Kevin Yuan, Louis Dobbelaar, Jack Thompson, Wade Ormsby, Jed Morgan, Travis Smyth, Todd Sinnott, Scott Hend, Zach Murray and Andrew Dodt.

TV TIMES*
Round 1: Thursday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 7pm – 1:30am)
Round 2: Friday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 7pm – 1:30am)
Round 3: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 8:30pm – 1am)
Round 4: Sunday (Fox Sports 507 LIVE 7:30pm – 1am)
*AEDT, check local guides