RIYADH: Golf Saudi is probably the best in the world at what it does in terms of impact, influence and resources, Scott O鈥橬eil, the CEO of LIV Golf, told Arab News during an exclusive interview at Riyadh鈥檚 ongoing tournament.
The highly anticipated launch of the 2025 LIV Golf League is taking place at Riyadh until Feb. 8 and the PIF Saudi Ladies International from Feb. 13-15.
LIV Golf was held in Jeddah in previous years, but O鈥橬eil said the decision had been taken to have the event in Riyadh as it is 鈥渢he center of commerce鈥� and 鈥渙ne of the most important cities in the world.鈥� 
He added: 鈥淪o, whenever you get a chance to take the best players in the world to one of the best cities in the world (you do), and we鈥檝e had incredible corporate support.
鈥淭his is a city that understands hospitality and understands big events and how to make stars feel like stars.鈥�
Known as 鈥淭he Oasis of the Capital,鈥� Riyadh Golf Club is one of the greenest spots in the city, surrounded by lush landscapes.
O鈥橬eil sees a bright future for the Kingdom鈥檚 golf sector and highlights the variety of venues dedicated to golf in Diriyah, NEOM, and Qiddiya, and its role in increasing physical activity, a pillar in the Kingdom鈥檚 Quality of Life Program. He said: 鈥淎s one of the world鈥檚 great teachers (golf), teaching all these incredible values, but also getting us all up and moving, as a sport of movement, this is wonderful.
鈥淲e鈥檙e very engaged in the impact we could have, both in terms of sustainability and the impact with children. So I think we're very consistent and hopefully we can do our part.鈥�
Saudi golfer Khalid Walid Attieh, the first amateur player from the country to make the cut in an elite professional tournament, told Arab News about his insights into the future of golf in the Kingdom.
He said: 鈥淏eing a pioneer in golf, I鈥檝e seen the game grow in Saudi over the last few years, but also the view of the game from the Saudi people and the infrastructure that has been implemented by Golf Saudi and the Saudi Federation.
鈥淭hey really have created a beautiful atmosphere for people to come and start playing golf, whether it鈥檚 just for social or juniors.鈥�
The PIF Saudi Ladies International will have top players competing for a share of $5 million prize money 鈥� the biggest non-Major prize fund on the Ladies European Tour.
The season-opening $20-million LIV Golf Riyadh includes US megastars Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka and Golf Saudi ambassador Dustin Johnson.
The Riyadh tournaments also feature fan zones, food festivals, and fairs. Each day of the tournament also features musical performances from Backstreet Boys, DJ Snake, and Egyptian pop star Tamer Hosny.