News / Tournaments & Events 3 hours ago

EIGHT WEEKS AFTER GIVING BIRTH, VAN DAM RETURNS TO GLOBAL STAGE AT ARAMCO CHAMPIONSHIP

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – April 1, 2026 – Just eight weeks after giving birth to her first child, Anne van Dam returns to elite competition this week at Shadow Creek as part of the Aramco Championship in Las Vegas, one of the standout events on the PIF Global Series, held in partnership with the LPGA and the Ladies European Tour.

Competing for the first time since welcoming her daughter Josephine in February, the Dutch star steps back onto the global stage with a new perspective, balancing life as a mother, world-class golfer, and Europe’s Solheim Cup Vice Captain.

“I am not going to plan on playing too much this year because my priorities have switched,” said the 30-year-old Golf Saudi Ambassador as she and Solheim Cup captain Anna Nordqvist fielded questions from the world media’s in Nevada on Wednesday. “Taking care of my daughter is definitely my number one priority.”

Her return comes at one of the biggest events in women’s golf, with all the world’s top 20 players competing for a $4million prize fund, reflecting the continued growth and global momentum of the women’s game.

Despite limited time on the course, van Dam surprised herself during practice. “Zero percent,” she said when asked about expectations. “Sometimes in golf, having no expectations is the best thing.

“So that's the weird thing about golf. I'm here this week in different roles. Just to be on the ground, show up for my sponsors, PIF and Golf Saudi and the amazing event they're putting on. Actually playing Shadow Creek a couple of times in week is a treat that we rarely get.”

Van Dam’s return so soon after childbirth reflects the kind of environment Golf Saudi is building through the PIF Global Series, one that enables players to compete at the highest level without having to choose between their professional ambitions and personal milestones.

Van Dam joins the likes of fellow Golf Saudi ambassador Alison Lee as a mother competing on the major tours, and does so in one of the world’s biggest tournaments outside the Majors.

This approach extends beyond competition, with the event also featuring conversations and initiatives that highlight the growth of women’s sport and open the door for broader participation in the game.

Van Dam’s story brings that vision to life, where performance and personal journeys coexist on a global stage, shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future for women’s golf.

It is also the first time the Series has visited the US west after previous stops in Houston, New York and Tampa. The PIF Saudi Ladies International opened the 2026 Ladies European Tour calendar in February.

Empowering female golfers to reach new heights is a key part of Golf Saudi’s global strategy to platform the world’s best players with significant prize funds in major golfing markets to inspire the next generation. There will also be a series of clinics throughout the week at the MGM Resorts-owned Shadow Creek to introduce beginners to the game.