Surratt, Meronk open with matching 62s in Riyadh

Caleb Surratt and Adrian Meronk picked up right where they left off at Riyadh Golf Club, opening with nine-under 62s to share the first-round lead at the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers.

India’s Anirban Lahiri has ground to make up after an even-par 71. Lahiri mixed three birdies with three bogeys to sit T-81 and will need a strong second round to move inside the cut line.

Belgium’s Thomas Pieters posted a 63 to sit one behind, while Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat carded a 64 in the final event of the season on The International Series.

This week also carries major stakes: the top two finishers in The International Series Rankings will earn LIV Golf League spots for 2026. Leader Scott Vincent and closest rivals Yosuke Asaji and Miguel Tabuena were grouped together, with Vincent and Tabuena opening with 67s and Asaji a 72. With 324 ranking points awarded to the winner, the race remains wide open.

Surratt and Meronk both have history at Riyadh. The 21-year-old American shot a course-record 61 here last year before losing in a play-off to Joaquin Niemann, and was on 59-watch again before a bogey on the fourth. Meronk, meanwhile, won LIV Golf Riyadh in February and again looked comfortable on a layout he says “suits his eye.”

Pieters kept pace with a brilliant putting display, taking just 24 putts after switching back to an older model. Kiradech, a former Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, also continued his good form with a 64.

South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen, England’s Paul Casey, Korea’s Seonghyeon Kim and Colombia’s Sebastián Muñoz are tied for fifth after 65s.

Defending champion Joaquin Niemann opened with a 72, while last year’s runner-up Cam Smith started with a 71.

Photo – Asian Tour