Surratt Superbly Stays Strong To Lead By One In Saudi

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American Caleb Surratt superbly birdied the last to lead by one as he sets his sights on victory at the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers at the Riyadh host course.

The 23-year-old North Carolina born Surratt added a second 66 to his opening 63, two rounds that contain 15 birdies and just one bogey to lead by a shot at 14-under from Thomas Pieters from Belgium in second place.

Pieters also shot a 66, while American Anthony Kim rolled back the years, shooting a 64 to move into third, another two strokes back, along with England’s Tyrrell Hatton and Spaniard Josele Ballester – both in with 65s.

South African Dean Burmester (63) and Adrian Meronk (70) from Poland are a further stroke behind in a tie for sixth along with Seungbin Choi of Korea (66). Meronk was the joint first-round leader with Surratt – in the final event of the season on The International Series, and the third from last stop on the Asian Tour calendar.

It was a year ago, Surratt lost out in a three-way play-off for the Saudi title after both he and Aussie Cam Smith were silenced by Chilean Joaquin Niemann at the second extra play-off hole.

However Surratt will not have that concern this time around as Niemann missed the two-under cut by a shot with scores of 72 and 69.  Also sitting out the weekend rounds in the Aussie Smith.

Smith is only into his second year as a professional when signed in early 2014 with LIV Golf though is yet to taste success in the play-for-pay ranks.

“Very pleased. It was a good day,” said the American, who plays for Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII team on LIV Golf.

“You know, I think some of the hardest rounds in golf are honestly ones that have to follow up great ones, so to go out there today, kind of fight my thoughts at times, getting ahead of myself, I was still able to play well. That was good that I showed that to myself, and hopefully use this same momentum.”

He is without a win since turning professional last year but has finished second twice in International Series events and third once.

“It is a great leaderboard. Be good to see how it shakes out next few days,” he said.

Pieters, who plays for 4Aces GC on LIV Golf, last won in 2022 at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship – one of his six titles on the DP World Tour. This year he has recorded his two best finishes on LIV Golf, finishing joint fourth in both Korea and Virginia.

“Pretty similar to yesterday,” he said of his round today.

“I played really well. I made loads of 10 to 15 footers. Only difference is I missed a couple shorter ones. Overall, super happy, obviously. Yeah, just really looking forward to the weekend and I enjoy this golf course a lot.”

Kim’s effort of a 64 to be sharing third is the now 40-years old’s lowest round since returning to pro golf in 2024 after more than 11 years away due to injuries and personal reasons.

He said: “My wife told me that if I make less bogeys than birdies my score will be good, so I followed that direction well today.

“Yeah, I’m finally starting to see some of the work show. I haven’t been able to swing like I have been in practice rounds and back at home in tournament golf, but it’s starting to show up and starting to feel more comfortable out here.”

The now 40-year old won the 2010 Shell Houston Open on the PGA Tour and last finished in the top-10 in an event at the Singapore Open in 2011, where he tied for third, during a period in time when he reached No. 6in the world.

However, he’s not been in contention since joining LIV Golf.



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