PRO GOLF PREVIEWS

Asian Tour PIF Saudi International

Course: Royal Greens Golf & CC in King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. Yardage: 7,048. Par: 70.

Prize money: $5 million. Winner’s share: $1 million. TV: None.

Notes: The 126-man field features all but two players from the top 50 earners in LIV Golf last year. The exceptions: Charles Howell III and Martin Kaymer. … Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson are competing for the first time since the LIV season ended Oct. 30. … PGA Tour members who received conflicting event releases to play the Saudi International include Cameron Young, Cameron Champ, Sebastian Munoz and Mito Pereira. The Daily Telegraph has reported that Pereira will be joining LIV this year.

European Tour

Ras al Khaimah Championship

Course: Al Hamra GC in Ras al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. Yardage: 7,400. Par: 72.

Prize money: $2 million. Winner’s share: $333,333. TV (ET): Thursday-Friday, 3:30-8:30 a.m. (Golf); Saturday-Sunday, 3:30-8 a.m. (Golf).

Notes: The third consecutive official event in the United Arab Emirates is the latest to the Middle East swing. Nicolai Hojgaard won the inaugural event in 2022. … The field does not include anyone from the top 50 in the world ranking. … Shaun Norris and Adrian Otaegui are in the field. Both are regulars on LIV Golf and are playing Ras al Khaimah instead of the Saudi International on the Asian Tour. … The European tour is a week away from the arbitration hearing on whether it can uphold regulations on players who have joined LIV. … Padraig Harrington has played the entire Middle East swing. The three-time major champ finished fourth in Abu Dhabi and last week in Dubai opened with an 81 then shot 65 but still missed the cut.