The final event of the Aramco Team Series is underway in Riyadh. The innovative event, the last edition of the five-series tournaments, offers one of the highest paychecks for any Ladies European Tour event, aside from the majors.

The winner will receive a $75,000 check from the $1M prize pool. But since it’s a team tournament, the winning team also stands to gain $105,000. Last year, Andrea Lee smashed the 54-hole scoring record by shooting 29-under on the way to an eight-stroke victory over the nearest challenger, Carlota Ciganda.

Lee also won $75,000 for her victory in 2023. The purse of the Aramco Team Series Riyadh has remained unchanged, as has the winner’s payout. Here is the full purse breakdown of the tournament presented by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, the financial backer of LIV Golf.

Aside from the hefty paycheck, Race to CME Globe, and Rolex Ranking points are also on the cards for players. Since its inception in 2020, the tournament has attracted top names to Saudi Arabia each year. 

Why the Aramco Team Series is unique in women’s golf

This year, 84 players have teed off at Riyadh Golf Club from 27 nations. Arguably, the three bigwigs this year are three European Solheim Cuppers: Charley Hull, Georgia Hall, and Carlota Ciganda, who faced fan backlash because of slow play at the Solheim Cup. 

Hull, of course, has an advantage over the other two. It’s one tournament she loves to play, and she has come close to a victory in each of her past three appearances at the Aramco Team Series Riyadh. Last year, she netted a T3. Before that, she was solo second in 2022 and, in 2021, Hull also managed to finish at T3. 

Besides the European trio, Allison Lee has also traveled to the Gulf country. On the other hand, Patty Tavatanakit, the 2024 Honda LPGA Thailand winner, returns to the field where she netted a victory in 2022. 

A handful of LET pros will battle for the Race to CME Globe points at the Aramco Team Series Riyadh. This is the last event before the Costa Del Sol Open de Espana, the last event in the tour’s calendar, which will determine the cardholders for the next season. 

Nevertheless, equally important is the Aramco Team Series format. It’s unlike any other tournament where an amateur gets to leave their mark on the final score. Firstly, the individual and the team championships happen simultaneously. Each team is made up of three professionals and one amateur. 

The team captain (decided based on Rolex Rankings) chooses one pro, and another is drawn via a draft. Then one lucky amateur gets to complete the foursome. The best two scores from a particular team will count towards the final 36-hole score. After they decide on the winning team, the top 60 players in the field will head to the final round for an 18-hole stroke play. 

There is one more storyline to follow here. Per a report on Bunkered, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan has traveled to Riyadh for a meeting with PIF governor, Yasir Al-Rumayyan.