Saudi International
Location: King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia
Course: Royal Greens G&CC
Yardage: 7,010
Par: 70
Tournament Preview
The European Tour heads to Saudi Arabia for another week of desert golf and the second playing of the Saudi International. Royal Greens is an exposed desert course with slight undulation. Water appears on less than half of the holes, and there are large sand bunkers throughout. Wind is the primary defense of Royal Greens, as it is positioned along the Red Sea. If last year's results are any indication, the picturesque par 70 course appears to favor bombers.
Key Stats to Winning at Royal Greens
Driving Distance
SG: Approach the Green
SG: Off the Tee
Par 4 Scoring
Past Champion
2019 - Dustin Johnson
DraftKings Picks
Dustin Johnson - $11,300 (7/1)
The defending champion is an easy decision in the top tier. He played solid last time out at Tournament of Champions, and we know he is at ease at Royal Greens. Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed could show up and play well, but both struggled last year on the same course that Johnson demolished. Victor Perez would be the next most appealing choice at only $10,200. Perez was T13 last year at Saudi International and arrives in good form.
Robert MacIntyre - $9,200 (28/1)
Expect last season's rookie of the year to get a win soon. After multiple second-place finishes last year, this could be the week for MacIntyre to break through. He arrives in good form following a T8 last week in Dubai. MacIntyre finished T44 at Royal Greens in 2019 and has greatly improved since then. He is a superb ball-striker that hits it long and straight. Another appealing option at the same price is Tom Lewis, who was solo third last year and arrives hot off a T3 last week.
Romain Langasque - $7,700 (66/1)
The Frenchman arrives playing some consistent golf. He has made eight cuts in a row going back into last season. He finished T27 last week, where he started out well and then fell back Sunday. Langasque is one of the better par-4 scorers on tour and is precise with his irons. He was T44 last year at Royal Greens, opening with a 67 on Thursday.
Tapio Pulkkanen - $6,900 (150/1)
There are a few names I like this week in the bottom-price tier, Pulkkanen is my favorite. He is long off the tee and has a good short game. His accuracy can be sporadic at times but has improved since the end of last season. He has made the cut seven of his last eight starts. Pulkkanen finished T32 last week in Dubai. Scott Hend, another bomber at the same price, is also tempting. He finished T6 at Saudi International last year. At only $6,700, Grant Forrest did not come through a couple of weeks ago, but I will go back to the long-hitting Scot once again.
