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LONDON: With immersive tech, visionary course design, and a bold ambition to shape the next chapter of global golf, the Saudi Public Investment Fund and Golf Saudi officially launched PIF Future Fairways in central London on Tuesday — a preview event blending innovation with sport to highlight ��������’s emergence as a world class golf destination.

The event at Urban Golf in Smithfield unveiled an interactive 3D digital version of three flagship Saudi golf courses — Shura Links, Laheq Golf Course, and Trojena Northern Golf Course — designed to position the Kingdom at the heart of golf’s next era.

These next-generation venues will anchor Saudi’s broader ambitions to triple its number of golf courses by 2030 and build a holistic sports and tourism ecosystem.

Attendees, including pro golfers, designers and industry leaders, explored virtual replicas of the new courses, demo-played signature holes on high-tech simulators, and took part in a “closest to the pin” challenge — all while engaging in off-the-record discussions with PIF stakeholders and Golf Saudi executives.

“For me, every experience that I have with Saudi, it’s been amazing,” said Carlota Ciganda, one of Golf Saudi’s ambassadors. “I know what they are capable of doing. These courses look amazing, a lot of fun to play — they’re going to attract a lot of people, a lot of tourists. I would love to go, play, and be part of this.”

Her sentiments were echoed by fellow ambassador Marianne Skarpnord, who said: “I definitely see �������� becoming a golf tourist destination. ��������’s landscapes are tailor-made for golf — from coastal settings to dramatic desert terrain. As we’ve seen here today, there are some amazing courses being built — it’ll be an easy choice for many people coming from the outside.”

Beyond new courses, the event also highlighted Golf Saudi’s long-term commitment to growing the sport from the ground up.

Dedicated programs and academies are now being developed throughout the Kingdom to nurture young talent and embed golf within the local culture — a critical step for any emerging golf nation.

��������’s new courses — including the coastal Shura Links on Shura Island, the desert-framed Laheq Golf Course along the Red Sea coast, and the alpine-inspired Trojena Northern Golf Course in NEOM — are being designed not just for playability but for global competition. Each is expected to host future tournaments, including events on the PIF Global Series, which resumes this weekend with the PIF Championship at London’s Centurion Club.

The fusion of golf and tourism is at the heart of the vision. By integrating world-class design with environmental sensitivity and destination appeal, �������� is not only building venues but offering experiences tailored to the modern golfer.

“The goal is to reimagine how golf is experienced, shared, and celebrated — both locally and globally,” said one stakeholder during the event. “This is not about copying what exists elsewhere. It’s about creating something distinctly Saudi, with universal appeal.”

PIF Future Fairways will continue to appear at all PIF Global Series tournaments through 2025 and into 2026, serving as a traveling exhibition of ��������’s golf transformation.

For now, Tuesday’s London event delivered a clear message: �������� is not just joining the global golf stage — it’s setting the direction for its future.

RIYADH: LIV Golf has confirmed its return to �������� to launch its 2026 season from Feb. 5-7 under the lights at Riyadh Golf Club.

Cleeks Golf Club’s Adrian Meronk, winner of LIV Golf Riyadh 2025, said: “Winning in Riyadh was one of the proudest moments of my 2025 season. Playing under the lights, in front of such an electric crowd, brought out the best in me.

“LIV Golf Riyadh presented by Roshn Group will be unlike anything else in the game. It’s fast, it’s bold, and it sets the tone for the entire season. I can’t wait to return and defend my title in 2026.”

Roshn Group, ��������’s leading multi-asset class real estate developer, continues with LIV Golf as global Pillar Partner for the 2026 season. As the two organizations work together to accelerate the sport’s growth with new audiences, Roshn Group and LIV Golf will champion youth access to golf and promote golf training and talent development.

Last month, LIV Golf and Roshn Group jointly launched the “Rising Stars” program, the first of its kind to educate and inspire young people in Saudi through the sport of golf. As part of a larger six-month golf program led by Golf Saudi, “Rising Stars” participants will benefit from the mentorship at global events from LIV Golf players such as Talor Gooch and Jason Kokrak, lessons from coaches, and inspiring talks from LIV Golf executives, among other experiences.

The 2026 season will be the second consecutive year LIV Golf opens its season in Riyadh, a key stop on the league’s international calendar and a symbol of the Kingdom’s growing commitment to elite sport.

LIV Golf Riyadh presented by Roshn Group builds on the momentum of a groundbreaking 2025 event, in which Meronk claimed a wire-to-wire individual victory and Legion XIII, captained by Jon Rahm, dominated the team competition in the league’s revamped four-score format.

The 2026 event launches a packed global calendar that includes confirmed events in Adelaide (Feb. 13-15), Singapore (March 13-15), South Africa (March 20-22), Mexico City (April 17-19), and the United Kingdom (July 24–26).

Ross Hallett, executive vice president at LIV Golf, said: “Together, with Roshn Group’s continued partnership, we’re excited to bring our global stars once again to Riyadh for our season opener in 2026. Last year’s event was the very first LIV Golf event played under lights, and it provided an electrifying start for players and fans alike, delivering a truly unique viewing experience and reinforcing LIV Golf’s commitment to innovation.

“2026 will be bigger and better with a focus on providing an unforgeable experience including light shows, a food festival, fan experiences, fair rides, golf activities, hospitality, concerts and more. We are grateful for the support of Golf Saudi and Riyadh Golf Club who provide a world class facility for our players and teams to perform.”

Fans can expect to see a stellar field, including Meronk, and defending team champion Legion XIII, featuring Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, Tom McKibbin and Caleb Surratt. They’ll be joined by international stars including 2025 season points leader and LIV Golf Jeddah 2024 champion Joaquin Niemann (Torque GC), Bryson DeChambeau (Crushers GC), LIV Golf Jeddah 2023 champion Brooks Koepka (Smash GC), Sergio Garcia (Fireballs GC), Cam Smith (Ripper GC), and Dustin Johnson (4Aces GC), among many others.