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Who is playing in the 2020 Saudi International?
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Who is playing in the 2020 Saudi International?

A star-studded field from the world of golf descend on King Abdullah Economic City as they aim to dethrone World Number Five Dustin Johnson at the Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers.

Dustin Johnson

The 2016 U.S. Open Champion claimed the inaugural title in Saudi Arabia last year as he fought off China's Li Haotong to win by two strokes in a captivating final round.

Johnson returns to Royal Greens Golf & Country Club to defend his crown and will begin his charge as part of a stellar threeball alongside fellow Major Champion Henrik Stenson and Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA winner Lee Westwood, starting at the tenth tee at 08:05.

World Number One Brooks Koepka will make his second appearance at the event and will be in esteemed company for the opening two rounds, beginning at 12:35 alongside 2017 Masters Tournament winner Sergio Garcia and reigning Open Champion Shane Lowry.

Ian Poulter, who finished sixth in last year's tournament, starts 20 minutes earlier in the company of Bernd Wiesberger, winner of two Rolex Series events in 2019, and 2018 Masters winner Patrick Reed, while Li hopes to go one better this time around when he gets under way at the tenth at 08:15 alongside Spanish pair Adri Arnaus and Pablo Larrazábal.

Five time Major Champion Phil Mickelson will make his first appearance in King Abdullah Economic City at 12:15, with 2010 US Open winner Graeme McDowell and Spaniard Rafa Cabrera Bello, while on the tenth tee at 08:25, 2018 Ryder Cup winning Captain Thomas Bjørn is joined alongside the evergreen Ernie Els and Wales' Jamie Donaldson.

Tom Lewis finished third in this event 12 months ago and will be bidding for another title tilt, beginning his round on the back nine at 07:35 alongside Belgium's Thomas Pieters and 18-year-old Rasmus Højgaard, who became the third youngest winner in European Tour history when he won the AFRASIA BANK Mauritius Open in December.

Martin Kaymer adds further Major feel to the tournament when he starts at 12:05 and will be in the company of South Africa's Richard Sterne and Frenchman Mike Lorenzo-Vera as he targets his first victory since his 2014 US Open win at Pinehurst.

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