Staff WriterThe PIF Saudi International opened with exactly the sort of thump you expect when world-class talent and hungry regional players share the same turf.
By the time the first round wrapped at Riyadh Golf Club, it was clear the PIF Saudi International is no longer just a stage for the established stars—it’s becoming a proving ground for the MENA region’s rising force.
LIV Golf’s Caleb Surratt and Poland’s Adrian Meronk tore the place apart with matching nine-under 62s, strutting into the clubhouse one shot clear of Belgium’s Thomas Pieters and two ahead of Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat. Big names doing big-name things—but the more compelling story was happening just a little further down the board.
Seven Saudis, three Moroccans, one Egyptian and a lone UAE contender delivered a collective day that showed exactly why The International Series keeps insisting the region is ready for the next step. And for once, the numbers agreed with them.
Bresnu Steals The Show (Again)
The standout? Morocco’s 20-year-old amateur Adam Bresnu—apparently allergic to being overawed by million-dollar leaderboards. He shut down day one with a faultless five-under that put him T9, only four back of the leaders and right where he seems to like living: near the top of a very expensive table.
This is the same kid who finished T6 last year. Today, he strolled around like the field owed him rent.
When asked if he could go even better this year, Bresnu didn’t blink: “My goal is to win. I travelled three days. It’s not to make the cut, it’s literally to win. Of course I’ll take making the cut – that is good. Top five is good. But I want to win.”
He wasn’t done. “I like the course to be honest. I love Saudi Arabia. It’s always a pleasure to come here. I have a lot of friends here. It’s great.
I feel like I’m home to be honest. Whenever I go to Arab countries, it’s like home to me. So I think it impacts my game and helps me a lot. This tournament is unreal. What Golf Saudi does for us Arab golfers, it’s really good. Happy to be here.”
If confidence was currency, Bresnu would already be top of the money list.
Morocco’s Next Wave Arrives On Time
Compatriot Reda El Hali—another Moroccan amateur with more talent than manners when it comes to giving big names too much respect—opened the championship and posted a two-under 69 with five birdies. Three dropped shots kept him at T42, but the intent was obvious.
He soaked up his first-hand look at the elite level: “It is good experience for me to play with the good players and see how they work in workout or how they play, how they practice and everything. It’s going to be good for me this week.”
Host Nation Delivers A Statement
Saudi Arabia’s first-ever professional golfer, Othman Almulla, struck the opening blow of the US$5 million showcase. A bogey to start wasn’t ideal, but five birdies later he’d signed for a two-under 69 and a day that announced Saudi talent is no longer interested in quiet cameos.
His take? “It was a really great day out there. I didn’t have the greatest start. It’s not a great tee shot on one, where I made bogey. I had to settle a tiny bit. Obviously, it’s a big moment playing at home, but I’ve been doing some really good work with my sports performance coach and my coach, and I’m playing some really good golf.
I know we always say ‘could have been a little bit lower’, but I had a lot of great opportunities to make a lot more birdies. I’m really happy with where I’m sitting. Obviously, it’s a big one playing in Saudi and to put a good one on the board for the first round is really good.”
Faisal Salhab matched Almulla with a two-under round, while Saud Al Sharif produced a steady level-par effort. Taken together, it’s the best argument yet that the Kingdom’s long-term investment in The International Series is starting to bear fruit—actual, leaderboard-shifting fruit.
Salhab spelt out the mindset shift: “I think we’re happy to play at home. That’s the secret. I think we’re happy to be at home. We’re happy to be playing in front of the home crowd. It’s great to see our golf course in such good condition, and we want to do well. This is a big one for us.
The course conditions are excellent. So hopefully another good one tomorrow and onto the weekend.”
The Bigger Picture
Round one of the PIF Saudi International showed what everyone inside the ropes has quietly known for a while: the MENA region isn’t waiting its turn anymore. With amateurs posting pro numbers and the home contingent showing real bite, this championship has evolved from a star-powered exhibition into a genuine proving ground.
Day one was loud. Day two will likely be louder. And somewhere in the mix, you get the feeling one of these regional players is gearing up to make the sort of noise nobody forgets.
