Larrazàbal has been a mainstay on the European Tour for more than a decade since claiming the Rookie of the Year award in 2008 RIYADH: Spanish golfer Pablo Larrazàbal has been appointed an international ambassador for Golf Saudi, it was announced on Tuesday. The European Tour star joins compatriot Adri Arnaus, as well as the UK’s Amy Boulden and Sweden’s Camilla Lennarth from the Ladies European Tour, in growing the game in Saudi Arabia and promoting the Kingdom as an elite golfing destination. Larrazàbal has been a mainstay on the European Tour for more than a decade since claiming the Rookie of the Year award in 2008 in a stellar debut season, which included winning the Open de France. The Barcelona-born player has tasted success in the Middle East before on the Desert Swing, winning the 2014 edition of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. Ranked outside of the top 100 at the time, Larrazábal overcame both Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickleson, posting a solid final round of five-under par 67 that saw him triumph by a single shot. And in December, Larrazábal ended a four-and-a-half year wait for his fifth career title with victory at the 2019 Alfred Dunhill Championship. “I feel honoured to be part of the Golf Saudi team and I look forward to sharing the many wonders of Saudi Arabia with my golf fans. I love travelling to the Middle East and playing in tournaments there, a region where I have a strong record. Having played in this year’s Saudi International it’s clear that the golfing community is really making a foothold in the Kingdom,” he said. “As a Golf Saudi ambassador, I’d like to play a first-hand role in growing the game there, particularly with the younger generations. It’s important for golf to expand in new markets if our sport is to continue to grow and develop a sustainable legacy,” he added. Majed Al-Sorour, CEO of Golf Saudi, said: “We are privileged to have been able to appoint Pablo Larrazábal as an official Golf Saudi Ambassador. Pablo has taken a keen interest in our progress and we are lucky to have him onboard to support our ongoing development. Watching him play in this year’s Saudi International, I was able to see first-hand his immense ability on the golf course and we look forward to developing a strong working partnership and gaining his insights, particularly when it comes to attracting young Saudis to the game.”