JEDDAH — The best golfers on the planet have put Saudi Arabia on the world’s golfing map ahead of the inaugural Saudi International powered by SBIA, which will make history as the first-ever European Tour event to be held in the Kingdom when play begins on Thursday (Jan. 31).

World No.1 Justin Rose was joined by world No. 2 Brooks Koepka, world No. 3 Dustin Johnson, world No. 5 Bryson DeChambeau; European Ryder Cup stars, Henrik Stenson, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Thorbjorn Olesen, Lee Westwood and Thomas Bjorn; as well as reigning Masters champion Patrick Reed, on the signature 16th hole at tournament host Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC).

Against a stunning backdrop of the contrasting blue hues of the Red Sea, the players were presented with a huge map of the world and given a geography test to pinpoint the exact locations of Saudi Arabia, KAEC and, more accurately, Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.

Johnson showed his geography is as good as his long game, coming out on top in identifying all three locations: “I’ve always known my world geography well and obviously we travel a lot with the sport, so I was quietly confident I would nail this one,” said the world No. 3. “Here’s hoping this is not the only victory I’ll experience this week.” — SG