The premier Asian Tour event of the year took place this week at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club with Abraham Ancer finally lifting the championship trophy at the 2023 Saudi International. Shooting innings 63-66-64-68, Ancer signed with a total of under 19, two more than defending PGA Tour Rookie of the Year Cameron Young and four more than PGA Tour member Lucas Herbert.
Holding the lead after each round, the 31-year-old was momentarily caught up by Young on the final round as the Bronx bomber connected with four birdies in his opening seven holes. Standing under 19 at the time, Ancer scored a birdie-bogey shot in his overtime before going nine straight home runs. With Ancer holding up, Young pressured and struggled, playing 8-15 in three games before a series of late birdies that brought the result much closer to reality.
“It was my first online win,” Ancer said. “I just don’t think about where I am in the rankings. I just feel like I just want to do it again. I played really well in the first round and I just feel like continuing to maintain that. I kept saying to myself, imagine if I was in 20th place and just went out there and fired a low shot. Everything went well. I was in the moment. Really didn’t think. too much about the previous plays or what happens after. So I’m really satisfied with my mood in these four rounds.”
Ancer’s win at the 2023 Saudi International marks his fourth professional win and the first since the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational 2021. Played primarily on LIV Golf, with occasional appearances on the DP World Tour and Asian Tour, this win will include a much-needed amount of points on the Official World Golf Rankings. Expected to move from 37th to 26th in the standings, Ancer will not be active until LIV Golf returns to its native Mexico for its season debut February 24 to 26. .
Ancer said: “I am really excited to start a new year. “There’s definitely a lot of room for improvement, but this gives me a lot of confidence. Just know that what I’ve been doing back home is definitely working. Obviously the break is very long. . My body feels very good. So that’s also a huge plus.”
Ancer’s win means it’s yet another close call for Young, who is now leading eight podium finishes since this time last year without a title. None of that has come in the form of a late fall or an ill-timed mistake over the long haul, the 25-year-old remains in a solid gap ahead of a big time in the calendar. PGA Tour competition will begin next week at the PGA Tour tournament. WM Phoenix expansion.
“If I have to – I feel like it – I mean, I think finishing like that is just proof that I can win anywhere if I put myself there more,” Young said. . “I’m proud of all those shots. I don’t think I threw anything away. If one or two of those shots are four shots ahead and I don’t finish, that’s a pity. , but I’ve been hit a lot. I haven’t thrown any of them.”
