Staff WriterThe International Series storyline has finally reached boiling point, and with just one round left at the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, the pressure is about to squeeze a few souls into diamonds.
The International Series Rankings race has two golden tickets to LIV Golf for 2026, and a pack of Asian Tour regulars are still swinging for their lives.
Riyadh Golf Club hosts the final stop on this season’s calendar, and Saturday’s close has left the door open just enough for a handful of hopefuls to dream big and panic quietly. The top two non-exempt players on the season-long table will walk straight onto next year’s LIV Golf roster. Everyone else will be left wondering what might have been.
Caleb Surratt – last year’s nearly-man – and Dean Burmester tied on 17-under after trading birdies and bruises all afternoon. Even with all that noise, the real theatre is happening just below them.
Scott Vincent, sitting on 325.59 points and perched atop the rankings like a man who’s finally found the good chair at the club, is still in control. The International Series Morocco champion ground out a move to T7 on 12-under, steady if not spectacular.
Behind him, the plot thickens. Yusuke Asaji may have missed the cut, but the Singapore Open champion still clings to second place with a 53-point cushion. Miguel Tabuena lurks in third, T12 on the board and fully aware that nothing short of a surge into the top six will get him anywhere near the promised land.
And then there’s Anthony Kim — golf’s phoenix who refuses to stay in the ashes. The American is T4 on 13-under after a two-under 69 littered with missed chances. He needs an outright win to muscle his way into the top two and reclaim his place in the LIV Golf League. It’s a long shot, but if anyone knows how to set fire to a leaderboard, it’s Kim.
Thailand’s Danthai Boonma is doing his level best to crash the party. His four-under 67 dragged him up alongside Vincent at T7 and kept the maths alive, however improbable. Currently 11th in the standings, Boonma’s season has been built on grit — a runner-up finish to Vincent in Rabat, plus top-25s at the International Series India presented by DLF and the Jakarta International Championship.
Still, reality bites. Only a second-place finish or better gives him a chance at LIV Golf glory. He’s keeping things level-headed.
“This is a new experience for me, to play with these good players from LIV Golf,” he said. “I don’t think about trying to beat anyone else, it is good for me to play with these good players and play the shot in front of me, shot by shot.”
Two three-putt bogeys late on could have ruined his day, but Boonma took it on the chin.
“I worked on something with my coach on my week off, before coming here, and it just helps me to think about my tempo and my sequence and my swing. It is more important that I just keep working on that and maintain focus on that.”
Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho also climbed to T18 with a three-under round that could’ve been even tidier without a couple of loose bogeys. His sights, though, are fixed on the LIV Golf Promotions event in January — the quirky Florida showdown offering two more tickets onto the LIV Golf stage.
Kho, runner-up at last year’s edition, knows exactly what’s at stake. This season he’s seen progress — fifth at the National Games, consistent form, and now a realistic path to the big leagues.
He’s relishing the bigger picture too.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity. Not just the promotions event, but finalising this season’s International Series Rankings race. There’s a lot more opportunity for us than there was 12 months ago. I think a lot of credit has to go to LIV Golf for making those changes, and it makes all the players really hungry as well.
“Myself and all the players going to the promotions event, here as well, we are all really buzzed to have the opportunity. I think the fact that there is more opportunity this year than last year is a step in the right direction.
“I think the most deserving player from this season – or the two best players from the season – will get the opportunity next year. It is based on merit, and I think that’s what we all want. A lot of credit goes to LIV Golf and The International Series. I think we’re all wanting to be one of those two players.”
With 18 holes left, nerves will crack, dreams will swing violently, and the Rankings will get their final shake. Riyadh is ready for a Sunday full of edge, ambition, and a couple of careers about to change overnight.
If there’s a better finale brewing anywhere else in world golf right now, someone’s hiding it well.
