RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – While Max Lee deservedly secured his place on the LIV Golf League next season by winning the LIV Golf Promotions event, there was some consolation for his nearest challengers.

The top 10 and ties at Riyadh Golf Club received exemptions for all 10 events on next season’s The International Series calendar.

American Ollie Schniederjans, Germany’s Max Rottluff, England’s David Horsey, Soomin Lee of Korea and the Australian duo of Brett Coletta and Jack Buchanan all secured their places for 10 elevated events across the Asian Tour calendar that offer a direct pathway onto LIV Golf via the rankings.

Rottluff, a former roommate of Legion XIII captain Jon Rahm at Arizona State, had already been in touch with Cleeks GC skipper and two-time major champion Martin Kaymer for pointers and advice on LIV Golf and The International Series ahead of the four-round tournament in Saudi Arabia.

His undoubted talent was evident earlier in the week when he shot a 6-under 65 to finish second in Round 1, and he secured his place on Saturday with three birdies in a blemish-free afternoon that gave him a four-under total and a seventh-place finish.

The 31-year-old, who had previously tried out for a full Asian Tour card at Q-School in 2023, said: “I’m going to take a very close look at the calendar. I very much look forward to it. I am not afraid to travel the globe and play. International Series sounds awesome, and I will definitely take a very serious look at it.”

Horsey endured a nervous wait to discover whether he had done enough, especially after two bogeys in his first three holes. But a 1-under round and 3-under 36-hole aggregate secured a T8 finish overall.

The Englishman explained the significance of the reward at the age of 39, saying: “It is great, it gives me playing opportunities against really strong fields, in certain places I have played before and some I haven’t.”

Horsey, a four-time winner on the European Tour added: “The goal was obviously to finish first, especially with what was on offer this week, but a top 10 is obviously a nice consolation and it will give me a bit more of a schedule next year. It is nice to play around the world.”

For Buchanan, his T4 finish was another high point in an impressive rookie season, after claiming his breakthrough pro win at the WA PGA Championship in his native Australia.

He said: “LIV Golf was the ultimate goal but getting a place on The International Series was also another goal for me this week, and I’m pretty stoked to get in.”

Buchanan highlighted the opportunity to tee it up alongside big-name LIV Golf League players who regularly compete in The International Series, such as major winners Patrick Reed, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel.

“I think for me, obviously, it has been my rookie year and it will be pretty cool to be able to do that next year and take that next step, competing with those guys. It will be a great experience and a good learning curve for me.”

His compatriot Coletta agreed, pointing to the quality field that he played against at the season-ending PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Advisers, which featured compatriot and 2022 Open champion Cam Smith and many other LIV Golf stablemates, including eventual winner Joaquin Niemann.

Coletta, who also finished T4, said: “Last week was an unbelievable experience with such a strong field, and it seems like there will be more of it next year. So I am stoked for Jack and myself as it will be a brilliant learning opportunity.”

The schedule starts just next month with the inaugural International Series India presented by DLF from January 30-February 2 at the exclusive DLF Golf & Country Club in Gurugram, with International Series Macau presented by Wynn next up from March 20-23.

International Series Morocco, the BNI Indonesian Masters, the Link Hong Kong Open and the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers all return to the calendar later in the season, with anticipation building about four new destinations to be announced soon.

For information on The International Series, visit: www.internationalseries.com.

 

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