Saudi International: Betting Tips, TV Times

Betting Tips and TV Times for the Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers

This week the European Tour heads to Saudi Arabia for the final event in the desert swing and second edition of the controversial Saudi International. 

Last year, Dustin Johnson claimed the inaugural title by two strokes at Royal Greens G&CC, which opened in 2018 and was designed by European Golf Designs. He returns, along with World No.1 Brooks Koepka, who makes just his second start back after returning from a knee injury that had left him sidelined since October.

Also in the field are major champions Henrik Stenson, Patrick Reed, Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia, who makes his return after being disqualified from the event last year. 

But who should you back this week?

Date: 30 Jan – 02 Feb
Course: Royal Greens G&CC, King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia
Prize Fund: $3.5 million
Race to Dubai Points: 4,250
Defending Champion: Dustin Johnson

Saudi International: TV Times

• Thursday: Sky Sports Golf (08:00), Sky Sports Main Event (08:00), Sky Sports Golf (11:30), Sky Sports Main Event (11:30)

• Friday: Sky Sports Golf (08:00), Sky Sports Golf (11:30)

• Saturday: Sky Sports Golf (09:30)

• Sunday: Sky Sports Golf (09:30)

Saudi International: Betting Tips

Dustin Johnson: 7/1
The defending champion returned from knee surgery during the Presidents Cup in December, and recorded a T7 in his only Tour start since at the Sentry Tournament of Champions. Royal Greens rewarded big hitters in 2019, and DJ ranked inside the top 10 last year on the PGA Tour for SG: Off the tee and SG: Tee to green, so will be hoping that goes in his favour.

Patrick Reed: 12/1
Reed has been one of the most consistent players anywhere of late, which includes six top 10s in his last nine starts – the most recent T6 coming at last week’s Farmers Insurance Open. 56th last year, but currently ranks 7th SG: Putting, 11th for scoring average and 31st SG: Tee to green on the PGA Tour. 

Abraham Ancer: 20/1
Playing in his first European Tour event since a T19 at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, and marking his debut in Saudi Arabia. Finished as runner-up in his last start at the PGA Tour’s The American Express, and has two other top 10s in his last five starts. Ranks 14th Scoring average, 17th SG: Tee to green, 21st SG: Around the green and 22nd SG: Approach the green on the PGA Tour. 

Sergio Garcia: 20/1
Heading here in form after following up a T8 in Abu Dhabi with a T23 last week in Dubai, and returns to Saudi Arabia after being disqualified from the event for damaging greens last year during his third round. 

Victor Perez: 22/1
Perez has been impressive since capturing his first European Tour victory at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, with runner-up finishes at the Turkish Arlines Open and Abu Dhabi Championship. He was also in with a chance last week in Dubai before struggling the final round, eventually finishing T16. Was T13 here in 2019. 

Shane Lowry: 22/1
Started off 2020 with a runner-up finish at the Hong Kong Open, followed by a MC in Abu Dhabi and a T11 last week in Dubai. Making his first start here. 

Robert MacIntyre: 25/1
The young Scot hasn’t finished outside of the top 30 in his last nine starts, and returned for his first event of the new season with a T8 in Dubai last week. Will be looking to improve on last year’s T44 as he seeks his maiden European Tour title.  

Thomas Pieters: 28/1
Another player who has been consistent since winning his third European Tour title at the D+D Real Czech Masters in August, finishing outside of the top 40 just once in his 12 starts since, having gone T30-T37 in the first two events of this year’s Desert swing. T22 here last year. 

Tom Lewis: 28/1
Lewis managed to break in to the World’s top 50 for the first time in his career following a T3 at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic last week, which was one of three top 10s in his last six European Tour starts. He was also T3 here in 2019. 

Mike Lorenzo Vera: 40/1
After recording seven top 10s in 2019 Lorenzo Vera is still searching for his first European Tour win, and started the new season with a T34 in Abu Dhabi and T8 in Dubai. He was also T13 here last year.