As Saudi Arabia pours billions into golf, a teenage prodigy could be the country’s first female golfer to break into the world amateur rankings. But is the sport ready for real growth in the Kingdom?
Last Wednesday, at the LIV Golf pro-am in Riyadh, a 13-year-old Saudi girl with a handicap of 5 stunned onlookers as she played alongside Chilean pro Mito Pereira. Her potential is undeniable, and if she continues on this trajectory, she could become the first Saudi woman to break into the amateur world rankings—a milestone that has never been reached in the country’s history.
Despite its ambitious investment in LIV Golf, Saudi Arabia still lacks a deep-rooted golf culture. However, the emergence of a promising young female golfer signals a potential shift in the landscape.
Saudi Golf: Billion-Dollar Investments vs. Grassroots Struggles
Saudi Arabia’s investment in golf is monumental—not just through LIV Golf, but also through Aramco-backed events on the Ladies European Tour. The kingdom is determined to become a golf powerhouse, funding new courses, luxury resorts, and major tournaments.
But there’s a problem: there aren’t enough players to sustain it.
By the numbers:
- Saudi Arabia currently has just 8,000 active golfers, including expats.
- The country has 14 golf courses, a number expected to double by 2030.
- Only four Saudi professional golfers exist today, the most successful being Khalid Attieh, who plays on the Asian Tour but has yet to finish higher than 57th place in the past two seasons.
- Prince Khalid bin Saud Al Faisal is one of the most passionate figures pushing for golf’s expansion, but the sport remains a niche in a country obsessed with football.
Golf as Entertainment vs. Golf as Sport
One of the biggest hurdles for golf’s long-term success in Saudi Arabia is the cultural perception of the game.
The LIV Golf events in Riyadh, featuring night golf, concerts, and festival-style entertainment, have drawn thousands of spectators—but largely for the experience, not the sport itself.
The challenge remains: Will Saudi Arabia’s investment in golf trickle down to grassroots participation, or will it remain an elite, entertainment-driven spectacle?
Can This Young Golfer Pave the Way?
For Saudi Arabia to produce world-class talent, it needs a strong development system, accessible facilities, and a cultural shift that encourages young athletes—especially women—to pursue golf competitively.
With the emergence of a 13-year-old prodigy who could rewrite history, the Kingdom now has a golden opportunity to invest in real player development rather than just headline-grabbing tournaments.
As Saudi Arabia’s golf empire grows, one question remains: Can this be the start of something real, or will the country’s golf revolution remain more about money than sport?
