Saudi Arabia's landmark ladies golf tournaments will break even more ground this week — becoming the first ever international women-only sports events held within the Kingdom to be broadcast live across the country. Coverage of this week's $1m Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by Public Investment Fund (Nov. 12-15) and the $500,000 Saudi Ladies Team International (Nov. 17-19) will be broadcast in 60 countries to almost 350 million households worldwide. However, it is back home in the Kingdom where the seminal tournaments will perhaps be felt the most, as they mark the first time ever a Saudi-held international women's elite sporting competition will be beamed nationwide. Due to COVID-19 restrictions no spectators will be present on the course at the Ladies European Tour events in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), but fans will have a number of ways to witness the inaugural event through international broadcasters and a range of behind-the-scenes content from the tournament's digital channels. Fourteen different global broadcasters across MENA, Europe, the Americas, Asia and Australasia will showcase the tournament from Saudi Arabia's premier championship course, Royal Greens Golf and Country Club — a venue boasting stunning panoramic views of the Red Sea. KSA Sports and Dubai Sports Channels will each be showing 21 hours of live coverage for the tournaments in Saudi Arabia and across the region. The events take women's golf into another new territory and will see 108 players, including some of Europe's elite players, compete for what will be the LET season's biggest purse after only the British and Scottish Open. Majed Al Sorour, CEO of both Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation, said: "Broadcasting the first women's professional tournaments in Saudi Arabia across the world is another hugely significant milestone for golf in this country. "We would have loved spectators to attend again, but millions across the globe will have the chance to witness some of the best players on the planet from a world class golfing venue. "Thanks to the support of our broadcast partners and in-depth coverage and content across our social media channels we have a chance to show the world Saudi Arabia is open and transforming through this great sport — truly inspiring a new generation for years to come." The events will be Saudi Arabia's third and fourth professional golf tournaments in less than two years that has welcomed the best players from across the globe. The country held the debut Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers in 2019, with Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell winning 2020's hosting in January. Together, the events mark the return of huge international sporting events to the Kingdom, something Saudi Arabia has become renowned for hosting in recent years as the country aims to inspire its next generation under the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030. — SG
