Caleb Surratt and Adrian Meronk rediscovered their magic touch at Riyadh Golf Club, firing matching nine-under-par 62s to take the first-round lead at the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers. They head a strong field in the final event of the season on The International Series, with Belgium’s Thomas Pieters one shot back after a 63 and Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat opening with a 64.
Both leaders have a rich history at this venue. Surratt, who lost in a play-off last year after carding a course-record 61 in the third round, threatened that mark again. Starting on the 10th, he made six straight birdies from the 11th and turned in a sizzling 29, before adding two more birdies on the 1st and 2nd holes. A bogey on the 4th cooled his momentum, but he closed strongly with a birdie at the 9th.
“It was a great day,” said Surratt. “I’ve been working really hard, five straight weeks on the road, learning a lot. Today felt like winning a small battle, but it’s just the beginning of the week.”
Meronk, who won the LIV Golf Riyadh title here earlier this year, once again showed his comfort with the course. “It just suits my game,” said the Polish star. “I know how to play it, I love the greens, and I enjoy being back.”
Pieters, representing 4Aces GC, closed with back-to-back birdies and credited his extraordinary putting day. “I think I had 24 putts,” he said. “I switched to an old putter I hadn’t used in years, it worked today.”
Kiradech, a former Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, continued his solid form. “I’m pleased with how I’m playing. I keep knocking on the door; hopefully, everything comes together this week.”
Eight players, including Louis Oosthuizen, Paul Casey, Seonghyeon Kim, and Sebastián Muñoz, are tied for fifth after opening rounds of 65. Defending champion Joaquin Niemann struggled with a 72, while last year’s play-off contender Cam Smith posted a 71.
The battle for the top two spots on The International Series Rankings, which reward places in the LIV Golf League, also intensified. Leader Scott Vincent and third-placed Miguel Tabuena both shot 67, while Yosuke Asaji, currently second, fired a 72. With 324 points awarded to the winner this week, the rankings remain wide open for several contenders.
About Asian Tour
The Asian Tour is celebrated as the most vibrant, youthful and diverse golf tour in the world. It has built a reputation for intense competition on the course and warm camaraderie off it.
The Tour, which was launched in 2004, is responsible for looking after the best interests of over 350 members, representing 35 countries, managing a year-long schedule of events across five continents.
Since 2022, the International Series has featured prominently. Consisting of 10 upper-tier events integrated into the schedule, the landmark initiative provides a pathway to the LIV Golf League via The International Series Rankings.
The Tour is the official sanctioning body for professional golf in the region and a member of the International Federation of PGA Tours. Also, it is an affiliate of The R&A and all sanctioned events qualify for Official World Golf Ranking points.
It controls its television production and distribution through Asian Tour Media (a joint venture with IMG) which broadcasts to over 100 countries worldwide.
The Tour also operates the Asian Development Tour – the popular feeder circuit that nurtures the next generation of stars.
The Tour is headquartered on Sentosa Island in Singapore, home to the award-winning Sentosa Golf Club – a member of Asian Tour Destinations.
