Arizona State alumnus Josele Ballester earned his first professional win at the 2025 PIF Saudi International powered by Softbank, closing with a six under 65 at Riyadh Golf Club to finish the event at twenty two under. The victory came by three shots over Caleb Surratt, with Dean Burmester in third at seventeen under and Richard Bland in fourth. A seven way tie for fifth included Tyrell Hatton, Anthony Kim, and Jason Kokrak.
Ballester began the final round one shot behind Surratt and Burmester but took control early and maintained the lead with a bogey free finish. The win marks his first professional title in only his tenth professional start.
A two time All American at Arizona State, Ballester won the 2023 European Amateur and the 2024 United States Amateur before signing with LIV Golf in June. Competing for the Fireballs team, he recorded two top ten finishes in six starts this year, including a tie for seventh at LIV Golf UK and a runner up finish at LIV Golf Chicago.
This event also concluded the 2025 International Series on the Asian Tour. Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe and Yosuke Asaji of Japan secured the top positions in the season standings and earned the two available LIV Golf roster spots for next year.
Ballester finished the week at Riyadh Golf Club with a twenty two under total of 262. Surratt closed with a 69, while Kim recorded a 70 for his best finish since returning to competition last year.
Ballester reflected on the milestone, saying the victory fulfilled a long standing goal and reinforced his motivation to continue progressing at the professional level.