RIYADH: Golf Saudi is probably the best in the world at what it does in terms of impact, influence and resources, Scott O’Neil, the CEO of LIV Golf, told Arab News during an exclusive interview at Riyadh’s 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’Neil said the decision had been taken to have the event in Riyadh as it is “the center of commerce” and “one of the most important cities in the world.”
He added: “So, 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’ve had incredible corporate support.
“This is a city that understands hospitality and understands big events and how to make stars feel like stars.”
Known as “The Oasis of the Capital,” Riyadh Golf Club is one of the greenest spots in the city, surrounded by lush landscapes.
O’Neil sees a bright future for the Kingdom’s 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’s Quality of Life Program. He said: “As one of the world’s great teachers (golf), teaching all these incredible values, but also getting us all up and moving, as a sport of movement, this is wonderful.
“We’re 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.”
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: “Being a pioneer in golf, I’ve 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.
“They really have created a beautiful atmosphere for people to come and start playing golf, whether it’s just for social or juniors.”
The PIF Saudi Ladies International will have top players competing for a share of $5 million prize money — 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.
Golf Saudi is the best in the world, says LIV Golf CEO
https://arab.news/8zqxh
Golf Saudi is the best in the world, says LIV Golf CEO
- Scott O’Neil speaks to Arab News in exclusive interview
Iraq hire former Australia boss Graham Arnold as head coach
- Arnold left Australia in September
- Iraq are third in Group B of Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup
BAGHDAD: Iraq hired former Australia boss Graham Arnold as head coach of their national team on Friday.
Arnold left Australia in September after six years in charge during which he took the Socceroos to the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup, where they lost to eventual winners Argentina.
Iraq are third in Group B of Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup and Arnold will start with two crucial games against leader South Korea in Basra on June 5 and second-placed Jordan in Amman five days later.
Six points from these two matches would seal Iraq’s place at the tournament for the first time since their 1986 debut.
FIFA Women’s World Cup to be expanded to 48 teams from 2031
- The 48-team tournament will adopt a 12-group format, increasing the total number of matches from 64 to 104
- The 2027 tournament in Brazil will remain at 32 teams
PARIS: The Women’s World Cup will be expanded from 32 to 48 teams, like the men’s competition, starting with the 2031 edition, FIFA announced on Friday.
The FIFA Council unanimously agreed to enlarge the competition “given the remarkable recent strides made by women’s football across the world,” the sport’s governing body said in a statement.
The 48-team tournament will adopt a 12-group format, increasing the total number of matches from 64 to 104 and extending the tournament by one week, FIFA said.
FIFA have still to ratify the 2031 and 2035 hosts.
The 2027 tournament in Brazil will remain at 32 teams.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the move followed the success of the 2023 World Cup in Australia won by Spain.
The 2023 tournament was “the first in which teams from all confederations won at least one game and teams from five confederations reached the knockout stage, among many other records, set a new standard for global competitiveness,” said Infantino.
“This decision ensures we are maintaining the momentum in terms of growing women’s football globally.
“This is not just about having 16 more teams playing ... but taking the next steps in relation to the women’s game in general by ensuring that more FIFA Member Associations have the chance to benefit from the tournament to develop their women’s football structures.”
The decision, FIFA said, will broaden representation, offering more nations and players access to elite competition and accelerating investment in women’s football worldwide.
The men’s tournament will be expanded to 48 teams for the World Cup in 2026, to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Liverpool’s Salah voted Football Writers’ Player of the Year
- Salah earned the prize after scoring 28 goals and producing 18 assists for Liverpool
- The Egypt forward broke the record for the most goal involvements
LONDON: Mohamed Salah won the Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year award for the third time on Friday after inspiring Liverpool’s march to a record-equalling 20th English title.
Salah earned the prize after scoring 28 goals and producing 18 assists for Liverpool in the Premier League this season.
The Egypt forward broke the record for the most goal involvements in a 38-game Premier League campaign as Arne Slot’s side romped to their first title since 2020.
Salah secured almost 90 percent of the football writers’ votes, marking the biggest winning margin this century.
Liverpool center-back Virgil van Dijk came second in the contest, with Newcastle striker Alexander Isak third and Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice fourth.
Salah, who was previously given the award in 2017-18 and 2021-22, is now level with former Arsenal forward Thierry Henry as the only players to win it three times.
The 32-year-old recently ended speculation over his future by signing a new two-year contract to stay at Anfield until 2027.
Salah’s decision to commit to Liverpool will make them favorites to win a record 21st title next season as they look to move ahead of Manchester United as England’s most successful top-flight club.
Alessia Russo became the second Arsenal player to land the women’s award as the striker finished ahead of last year’s winner Khadija Shaw.
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami turn focus to Minnesota United
- The Loons will play Miami for only the second time ever
- Inter Miami enter the match in fourth place in the Eastern Conference
MIAMI: Inter Miami embark on the first of back-to-back road trips in five days when they take on host Minnesota United on Saturday afternoon in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
The Loons (5-2-4, 19 points) will play Miami for only the second time ever and enter the contest a distant second in the Western Conference.
Minnesota is balancing league play with its push to try to win the US Open Cup, as it advanced to the Round of 16 on Wednesday with a 1-0 win over USL Championship club Louisville City FC.
Inter Miami (6-1-3, 21 points) enter the match in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. They were eliminated 3-1 by Vancouver in the semifinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup on April 30.
Miami can narrow its focus to league play over the next few weeks and try to continue making up ground in the standings coming off a 4-1 win over the New York Red Bulls last Saturday.
“We’re going to fight for the top spots in the Eastern Conference, and then we’ll see what comes (over the summer) with the Club World Cup and the Leagues Cup,” Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said this week. “But right now, the most important game is the next one.”
Lionel Messi scored in Miami’s victory Saturday as did Luis Suarez, breaking droughts of four games across all competitions without goals for the two soccer legends.
Darius Randell scored the lone goal in the 65th minute against Louisville on an assist from Sang Bin Jeong.
Saturday’s game will feature a reunion of sorts as recently acquired midfielder Julian Gressel will face his former club, which waived him last month. Gressel started 31 games for Inter Miami last season.
“I’ve been waiting for this ever since I knew what my situation was in Miami and that was pretty early on,” Gressel told Minnesota reporters recently.
“They laid a pretty clear picture out for me, and I appreciated that, so we could try and come up with a solution. It took longer than I thought, but ultimately, I’m happy to be here.”
Rhodes, Tamburlini lead new generation at Aramco Korea Championship, part of PIF Global Series
- Duo to serve as captains in innovative team format
- ‘It’s amazing to be back with my team after a short break, and I’m really excited for this stage of the season,’ says Rhodes
SEOUL: Rising stars Chiara Tamburlini and Mimi Rhodes are set to lead the competition at this week’s Aramco Korea Championship, part of the newly launched PIF Global Series.
The duo are to serve as captains at the tournament which was scheduled to begin on Friday and features an innovative team format.
The Seoul event will feature the young talents taking on leadership roles — reflecting growing confidence in the new generation of women golfing stars.
England’s Rhodes has had a remarkable start to her 2025 season, claiming her first two titles on the Ladies European Tour with victories at the Joburg Ladies Open and the Ford Women’s Open in New South Wales.
Rhodes, who turned professional in 2024, said: “I feel like I’m in a great place after those two wins. It’s amazing to be back with my team after a short break, and I’m really excited for this stage of the season.
“I didn’t expect to be a captain, but just hearing the idea gave me a real boost and confidence that I’m now among the top players.”
Swiss golfer Tamburlini enters the tournament with confidence following a historic 2024 season that saw her win titles in South Africa, France, and Taiwan.
She was crowned Rookie of the Year and topped the overall ranking on the Ladies European Tour.
Tamburlini led her team to victory at the Shenzhen and Riyadh events last year, becoming the first captain to win back-to-back team titles in a single season.
She said: “I’m super excited for this week. Team events are always fun, and I love being surrounded by players I enjoy competing with.
“As a captain it’s important to maintain team spirit and keep everyone motivated throughout the round. I recently played my first major in the US, which was a great learning experience. I hope to bring some of that here.”
Rhodes was part of Tamburlini’s winning team at last year’s Riyadh Championship, which marked her debut in the Aramco Team Series, now rebranded as the PIF Global Series.
All eyes are on the Aramco Korea Championship as it blends competitive golf with team camaraderie, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to expand its international presence in the sport.
