Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Ahead of the third edition of the Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, the launch of The Line – a 170-kilometre, zero-carbon, urban-development project, which will see several hyper-connected communities incorporated into one city, becoming the Kingdom’s most ambitious project to date – has been hailed.

“His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, Mohammed Bin Salman’s announcement of The Line, as well as other great projects that have preceded it, including NEOM, will be a blessing for world tourism and investment,” said Majed Al Sorour, CEO, Golf Saudi, an Executive Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

He added: “This is also good news for golf’s bright future, especially as the sport is directly associated with beautiful beaches, smart cities, and high-end tourism.

“The clean, high-tech environment that The Line will create will no doubt allow golf courses to flourish due to their aesthetics, environmental development and consideration for health and nature in conjunction with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, turning the Red Sea Coastline into a hub for golf.”

Formerly a professional footballer in the Saudi Premier League, Al Sorour enjoyed a stellar career with Al Nassr before moving to the United States in 1990 to pursue a business career. This career change brought him into close contact with golf. His passion for the sport has remained undimmed ever since.

Returning to Saudi Arabia to continue his business interests, Al Sorour competed in domestic golf tournaments as an amateur, winning numerous events.

In 2018, on special request, Al Sorour was appointed as CEO of Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation, responsible for overseeing the multi-billion-dollar investment in the development of the sport and its correlating commercial opportunities, in order to meet the requirements of Vision 2030.

The next stage of the journey is the third edition of the Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers (February 4-7). Preparations are on track for what will be a major event on the Saudi sporting calendar that captures the world’s attention, with some of the European Tour’s best golfers being broadcast globally to millions.

Al Sorour said: “We are just a fortnight away from hosting one of the largest golf tournaments in the world for the third time in King Abdullah Economic City. Looking back, who would have imagined that this high-value sport would find itself in such a distinguished place in Saudi Arabia?”

The Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers is now a permanent fixture on the Desert Swing, with Golf Saudi working in close co-operation with the European Tour to implement mass participation programmes.

These initiatives can inspire the next generation of Saudis to take up the game and develop future home-grown champions, as well as allowing the current crop of national team players who are set to compete in this year’s tournament the chance to play alongside current world champions and learn directly from them.