Schniederjans, Tabuena aspire for LIV Golf spots entering PIF Saudi International

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - With The International Series Rankings race reaching its dramatic climax at the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, two of the season’s standout performers — American Ollie Schniederjans and Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines — arrive in Riyadh with everything still to play for.

Both sit inside the top five on the Rankings race after claiming victories this season, and are regarded as likely challengers for the two coveted golden tickets into the LIV Golf League next year currently in the possession of Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe and Japan’s Yosuke Asaji, the top two going into the tournament.

Schniederjans produced one of the season’s most impressive wins at International Series India presented by DLF, outplaying global stars including two-time U.S. Open champion and Crushers GC Captain Bryson DeChambeau, and seven-time LIV Golf winner Joaquin Niemann, captain of Torque GC.

Tabuena delivered an unforgettable victory on home soil at International Series Philippines presented by BingoPlus, finishing ahead of a strong field including 4Aces GC Captain Dustin Johnson and teammate Patrick Reed, both winners of the Masters.

Now in Saudi Arabia, the equation is clear for both players — perform, and their LIV Golf hopes stay alive.

Schniederjans enters the week with a precise understanding of what is required.

“I probably need a top-three finish to earn one of those top two spots,” the 32-year-old said. “Good play will go a long way regardless. I am expecting something like three to seven under each day - that is usually what it takes.”

This season has not been without challenges. An oblique strain sidelined him for two months and forced him to miss International Series Japan presented by Moutai.

“It was a tough setback early in the year,” he said. “Coming back was tricky, and I had to make uncomfortable changes while also not hitting a ton of balls. Jakarta was basically my first tournament in a long time.”

He now feels he has turned a corner.

“Some things I tried were not natural or best for me long-term. I had to accept limitations, fine-tune things, and simplify what I should be doing. The goal is to stop fighting my body or equipment and play within myself.”

With so much at stake, Schniederjans is relying on experience rather than emotion.

“I’ve played a lot of tournaments with my back against the wall,” he said. “You can’t control everything in golf. You simplify the job, execute, and see where it takes you.”

Tabuena approaches the week with equal clarity — and similar calmness. A neck spasm forced him to withdraw from the SJM Macao Open, but the decision proved timely ahead of his incredible week in the Philippines.

“It was my sixth week in a row, so the body gave a bit,” he said. “But now the body’s fresh and ready to go.”

The 31-year-old knows a strong finish will keep him in contention.

“I think I need to finish inside the top five, which is doable,” Tabuena said. “Obviously I am here to win, but realistically, top five should get it done. If not, it has still been a great year and hopefully the game continues trending upward.”

Like many players in pressure scenarios, Tabuena admits he will check the leaderboard — even if he tries not to.

“I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t,” he said. “It is good to keep an eye on the guys close to me or in that bubble. But the main thing is to keep your head down and focus on your own game.”

Schniederjans shared a similar sentiment and admitted he will keep half an eye on what is happening around him as the week unfolds but will not be pressured by it.

“As far as leaderboard watching, I think it’s just going to take 20-under or whatever to win,” he said. “I don’t think whether I look at it or not is going to change that. That is what it’s going to take.”