Asian Tour Yearbook - 2022

Auspicious start to new golfing era Varner’s dramatic denouement W ith nine Major championship winners in the starting line-up, the PIF Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisers was billed as boasting the strongest field in the history of the Asian Tour. With the prize purse increasing from US$3.5 million to US$5 million and the winner taking home US$1 million, the opening event on the 2022 schedule was also lauded as one of the most lucrative since the Asian Tour’s inauguration. It was the perfect setting at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club to allow the competitors to do what they do best at this level, amaze and entertain. And for the Saudi International’s new journey as an integral part of the Asian Tour, it would not have been possible to script a more dramatic denouement to four days of outstanding golf. Third-round leader Harold Varner III saw his hopes of the biggest pay-day of his career seemingly dissipate when he followed a double- bogey at 14 with another dropped stroke at 16. Meanwhile, three groups ahead of him, two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson rolled home a 15-foot eagle putt on the 18th to post what appeared to be a winning aggregate of 12-under-par 276. But 31-year-old Varner, whose only previous victory had come at the Australian PGA Championship in 2016, was not done. He picked up a shot at 17, meaning he needed another birdie at the par-five home hole to tie Watson and force extra time. Although he reached the green in two, left facing a devilish 92-foot putt, the consensus was that a three-putt par was on the cards. Astonishingly, however, Varner defied all odds, judging the putt to perfection. As his ball disappeared below ground to match Watson’s eagle and record a one-stroke triumph, amazement and unconfined joy poured out. It was a shot heard and seen around the world. “I’m just trying to take it in,” said Varner, attempting to make sense of the late turn of events. “There’s been times when it didn’t go my way … and today it did. I’m super thrilled. Not just for myself, but everyone that’s either on my team or in my corner.” Fellow-American Watson, who was watching the action unfold, raced onto the Harold Varner III celebrates holing his eagle putt on the 72nd hole (LEFT) and with the eye-catching trophy (ABOVE). 29 There’s been times when it didn’t go my way … and today it did. I’m super thrilled. -HAROLD VARNER III P I F S A U D I I N T E R N AT I O N A L P OW E R E D B Y S O F T B A N K I N V E S T M E N T A D V I S E R S ROYA L G R E ENS GO LF AND COUNTRY C LUB , J EDDAH | FE B RUARY 3 - 6, 2022 | P R IZE MON E Y US$5 M I LLI ON