Written By: Anjali Mishra

 

The PGA Tour granted permission to over two dozen golfers, the 2022 Saudi International will feature a world-class field, likely including Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, and Bryson DeChambeau. The event will take place the same week as the Tour's AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

 

Saudi International Tour

 

While the Tour is used to distributing these releases, this one was a bit of a risk because it appeared that more players than ever had requested them. However, The PGA Tour intimated in the middle of 2021 that it would not allow its members to travel to Saudi Arabia for the Saudi International, but it reversed course this week by informing players who requested the waivers that they would be allowed to go play.

 

As part of the course change in pga tour and saudi internationals, however, the waivers come with some stipulations. Golfers who requested the waiver and have played in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in the last five years will be required to play in it again at least once in the next two years (2023 and 2024). Players who have not played in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am over the last five years will have to play it twice in the next three years (2023-25).

 

PGA Tour image

 

Many PGA Tour golfers will receive significant appearance fees for travelling to and competing in the Saudi International. This is just the latest struggle in what has evolved into a rather high-stakes global (and political) battle between an established league, a disruptive newcomer, and all of the world's greatest golfers. Even while the Tour has increased its payments across the board, that fight has no end in sight at least for now.

 

The 2022 Saudi International will take place from Feb. 3-6 whereas, AT&T Pebble Beach PRO-AM is also on the same date.