Now, with a number of events under their belts, including the Asian Tour International Series, both Faisal Salhab and Saud Al Sharif took time out to speak to Golf Digest Middle East about their progress on tour among some of the best players in the world.

Q: Can you describe both what is similar — and what is different — about your lives in general now you are professional?

Faisal: I’m very lucky to have teammates that share the same schedule, so it still feels like we get to share moments and learn from each other and help each other as well.  It is a lot more than the independent “You eat what you kill”, and I am very fortunate to have support from Golf Saudi.

Saud: The similarities I think have been there since amateur days as Faisal and I travelled the world together competing on international stages, and that hasn’t changed yet, thankfully. We have built a brotherhood relationship for years and years to come.

Q: When you reflect on your introduction to golf, at what point did it become your aspiration to turn professional?

FS: When I first joined the national team. The more tournaments I competed in, and the exposure I got to the game, the more my aspiration to grow to progress in the game. As a kid I always used to watch golf on TV. I stayed up at night to watch all the majors and I found the players inspiring, hoping to be like them one day.

SAS: Ever since I got introduced to the game from the age of 10 I knew I had the potential to work hard and be the best version of myself on the golf course and outside, so to myself it was clear ever since the get-go.

Q: What advice would you give an aspiring young golfer, especially in a market in Saudi Arabia where the sport is yet to be fully established?

FS: Luckily in Saudi there are a lot of great programmes that are being established to fully support the next generation of golfers. My personal advice is to start with no expectations, enjoy the game, and when you feel like you’re ready to take it to the next level, there will be the right support system.

SAS: My advice will be no matter where you are or what your resources are with determination and a dream comes a bright future, and that comes with loving what you do and being able to go that extra mile each day for it.

Q: Aside from golf, how do practice weeks differ from tournament weeks?

FS: The weeks that are just practice, I usually go to the gym, play some other sports and try to generally stay active and healthy. 

SAS: I try to keep my technical in check on off weeks with Jamie [McConnell], and still challenge myself in that pressured atmosphere of a golf tournament even in practice with drills, you have to practise under pressure to be able to perform under pressure.

Q: What challenges do an international schedule present for travelling tour professionals? In particular, how do you manage your health and fitness?

FS: I am still learning how to cope and deal with all the travel, as at times it can be a bit overwhelming. Even when I was an amateur we would play on schedules that expected us to travel a lot. Having those teammates that travel and have the same schedule as you make it less lonely and we can rely on each other, some people are more organised than others.

SAS: I try to make sure I tick a lot of boxes when it comes to nutrition, make sure I consume enough calories when travelling and obviously staying hydrated is key.

Q: How do courses and conditions differ around the world where you have competed? Is it important to you to play in other regions? If so, why is that?

FS: Different regions have different types of golf courses. Some courses are tighter than others, and weather can play a role as well. That is why it’s important to play on different courses to challenge myself.

SAS: It is important by all means. To be a complete global-performing professional you have to develop that skill of being able to perform under any given circumstance, rain, wind, hot, humid and different ground surfaces around the world, and luckily the busy worldwide schedule we have presents us with these different playing conditions to be able to learn from.

Q: How significant is The International Series to you when setting your schedule? 

FS: They are the biggest events in my schedule. I always want to be playing at my best during those weeks as they are largest events on my circuit and have the highest quality field and the points are very meaningful towards gaining a full card.

Q: What has been your impression of International Series events so far and which events, if any, are you looking forward to?

FS: Overall, they are very well organised, courses and locations are great. The facilities are well prepped.

SAS: Again, The International Series is the platform for us right now to make strides towards our golf games, and it helps bring out the best of our golf. The addition of the St Andrews Bay Championship is extremely cool.

Q: What is your proudest moment in golf since turning professional and why?

FS: Turning professional in Saudi Arabia is definitely my biggest highlight, and one of the proudest moments was grinding it out in Oman, at the first International Series event of the year, to make the cut on a tough course.

SAS: Probably making my first cut back in February this year at International Series Qatar, with it being my second tournament as a pro, and being in the lead during round one too was indeed a proud moment.

Q: What targets have you set yourself for the remainder of 2023? And beyond?

FS: For 2023, with the remaining events that I have is to settle myself as a professional and make cuts and strive for bigger goals as I achieve my stepping-stone goals.

SAS: I am optimistic, feel like it will be good year to hopefully take as a learning experience, and am confident that I will be successful in some events.  Who knows?

The post Saudi duo Faisal Salhab and Saud Al Sharif reflect on their first year as golf professionals — and hint at what lies ahead appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Sometimes we use the phrases ‘brother’ and ‘family’ in a matter-of-fact way. 

Throwaway references to your best chums, the guys you meet at the club or colleagues you tolerate after work. 

Then sometimes you are given a true reminder of what that term actually means when you meet someone like Othman Almulla.

The 36-year-old began his golfing career on the sand courses in Saudi Arabia, using a rubber mat and a set of borrowed clubs, with school grades suffering as he would sneak on to the course whenever he could. 

That dedication and addiction paid off in the long run as he started to turn a few heads in the Middle East and beyond. How could a boy from the sand of Saudi Arabia compete with the best in the world? 

Compete he did, and true to his word and ambition to become a champion, he won the Qatar Open and Saudi Aramco Invitational in 2008 and became the youngest Pan Arab Amateur Golf Tournament champ at 21, sporting his beloved Adidas gear whenever he could on the course.

After years of grafting away, Othman eventually marked his official arrival when he became the first Saudi professional golfer in 2019, aged 32, when the game began its next-generation journey in the Kingdom through Golf Saudi. 

Now a seasoned pro, Othman is not content to rest on his laurels, and has already began nurturing the fruits of his labours — with two little ‘brothers’ ready to carry the torch forward for Saudi Arabian golf.

Not quite old enough to be a ‘father figure’, Othman is content to be the big brother of the Saudi golf family as Faisal Salhab and Saud Al Sharif are emerging as stars in their own making.  

Othman Almulla with his Saudi golfing family Faisal Salhab, left, and Saud Al Sharif. Neville Hopwood

The recent PIF Saudi International saw Faisal and Saud mark their own professional journeys for Saudi golf in a field full of major winners and legendary names such as Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia and Bubba Watson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka and Cameron Smith.

A big stage indeed.

Saudi’s second and third golf stars have one guy to thank and to aspire to, that big brother Othman, who has guided them through a difficult — and a sometimes solitary — path to the top level in the game, having played together flying the Saudi flag in team events.

“Faisal and Saud, they are my little brothers,” Othman told Golf Digest Middle East. “Golf can be a very individual sport and you are with your own team — physios and coaches, whatever — but you find yourself out there on your own a lot of the time. 

“But to be out on tour with them now as professionals will be super special, we will create the best memories together. My favourite memories in golf so far are with them in team events representing Saudi Arabia around the world in some big championships. The camaraderie and brotherhood has been created over these past years. I think I have been playing with them for almost 10 years and these relationships and friendships are not easy to come by. I truly believe that I am an older brother to them — they really are my two little brothers out here now on the pro circuit and to see them out here chasing a passion that we all share is truly uplifting. 

“I think it is easy to sometimes get stuck in one event, but we now have a very fruitful career ahead of us, all three together and I am very excited about that. This is just the first step, after the partnerships with Golf Saudi and the strides we have taken around the world, and I truly believe the best is yet to come.”

Faisal was quick to praise the ‘big guy’ whom he overshadows, literally, with his bulging biceps, a product of the new revolution taking over golf in the Kingdom. 

“This is another exciting step on our journey and where better to turn professional than in our home country at the Saudi International,” he said.

“It has been a long journey to get to this point but the continued support of Othman and Golf Saudi, the Saudi Golf Federation, my coaching team, and friends and family have made all the difference.

“I want to thank them for everything and hope that I can continue my success in the professional game.”

Othman in action at the PIF Saudi International at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club. Neville Hopwood

Saud was equally as excited for the future. “Turning professional has been my goal since I first caught the golf bug as a young kid through guys like Othman, and I am so happy to have the opportunity to fully pursue golf as a career,” he said.

“There are so many people to thank but Othman, Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation have been integral to growing the game within the Kingdom and allowing both of us the opportunity to play golf and reach this point.

“I can’t wait to be on the road with Othman and Faisal testing ourselves against the best players and on the best courses, and hope that our story can help others to see and believe they can do the same and follow in our footsteps. As well as winning on the international stage, we each share the dream of inspiring the next generation, and professional golf gives us the platform to do that.”

Hugging his ‘family’, Othman added: “Life on tour is a pretty demanding one, so I’m hoping that I can help the guys avoid some of my mistakes and to do whatever I can to help them overcome some of the early challenges of turning professional.”

The curtain-raiser for Faisal and Saud was not without its tragedy as Othman has to cut short ceremonies at Royal Greens to return to Dammam as his father-in-law passed away on the Tuesday evening. However, he ensured he was back in Jeddah to support his teammates and tee up for the Saudi International by Thursday, with wife Rana’s blessing and encouragement. 

“It was a tough couple of days, but it was important to me to come back,” an emotional Othman said. “It was important to come back and support Saud and Faisal.

“I told my family it was important to come back and put on a brave face. We need to be role models and an inspiration to the Saudi population and that is keeping me strong. 

“I think golf families are the most unsung heroes. My wife is the most supportive and special person I know.” 

When back on the range and greens, Othman attracted more than a few jealous glances as he was sporting a very special set of shoes — the brand new Adidas ZG23s — something even the top pros in the US and across Europe are waiting to get their hands (and feet) on.

“A few of the guys during the pro-am stopped me and said: ‘Whoa, where did you get them?’ I won’t say who, but these are established guys looking at my shoes and casting envious glances, wanting to check them out. 

“I turned pro in 2019, and the guys in Dubai started a conversation in an unofficial capacity as they saw I was always a massive fan of Adidas gear and the relationship started from there. 

“I started wearing some of the best golf gear available and, around two years ago, we got together with an official partnership.  

“I can’t tell you how much I love being an Adidas athlete, as it’s all I remember wearing.”

As understanding as she is, Rana has her limits when it comes to Othman’s attire.  

Neville Hopwood

“My wife gives me a hard time about it as my whole wardrobe is Adidas, and it’s my lifestyle regardless what we are going out to do,” he admitted. 

“To be honest the gear is amazing and that is why I wear it all the time. The shoes are some of the most comfortable involved in the game and the ZG21s, which were the previous versions of the new one, were one of my favourite pairs of golf shoes. 

“The guys began to tease me: ‘Wait to you see what is coming in 2023.’ I was kinda looking around for snippets and previews and couldn’t find anything. Then these arrived at my house and I was like: ‘Wow.’ 

“There are one of the lightest shoes in golf, just like the previous iterations, and it is nice to feel I can go at it as hard as I want I am going to feel super stable and my feet will still be fresh after a round, know what I mean? 

“I won’t go into the tech but all I know is I know they help me play my best golf.” 

The post Brother beyond: Othman Almulla keeps it in the family as Saud and Faisal make professional debuts at Saudi International appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Salhab posted four consistent rounds of 77, 73, 78 and 72 to finish 12-over T-59 in windy conditions at Al Mouj Golf. With prize money now at stake, Salhab managed to tame the stunning scenic coastline course of Al Mouj Golf, ensuring that the new pro wouldn’t leave empty handed. Despite a tricky third round, Al Mouj Golf was the perfect playground for some excellent golf from Salhab on the final day, during which he scored a level-par 72 and he picked up his first cheque for $4,400.

“It is an amazing feeling to make the cut here in Oman, especially on a tricky links course and in light of the great competition and the high-level of golfers on show from the Asian Tour, which makes this achievement even more special for me,” Salhab said

Noah Alireza, CEO of Golf Saudi, said: “We have seen a remarkable performance over four days from Faisal Salhab in Oman. At Golf Saudi, we are delighted that Faisal managed to make the cut so early in his professional career. This confirms the great progress he made as an amateur in the Saudi National Team in recent years and we expect him to achieve great things in future in a professional capacity.

“Alongside fellow compatriot professionals, Othman Almulla and Saud Alsharif, Salhab continues to be supported by both the Saudi Golf Federation and Golf Saudi, serving as a role model for those across Saudi Arabia who want to get into golf.”

After an incredibly successful amateur career, which saw Salhab win two events during 2021 in the MENA region, including the PIF Saudi Open, he took the decision to make the jump to the pro game alongside countryman Alsharif earlier this month at Royal Greens. Going forward, Salhab will enjoy a full schedule of events on the Asian Tour, competing in the International Series Qatar this week, before venturing further east to the International Series in Thailand.

The post Saudi star Salhab makes fast start to professional life in Oman appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

With concerted promotional efforts and considerable backing from Golf Saudi and the Government’s Public Investment Fund, the game has expanded greatly in the Kingdom in recent times, from global events such as the LIV Golf Invitational Series, and the flagship Saudi International on the Asian Tour, to a growth in golf tourism as well as an upturn in Saudis of all ages and abilities — both male and female — taking up the game for the first time.

There are two young men who are enjoying the ride first-hand — amateur golfers Faisal Salhab and Saud AlSharif.

The pair have risen to prominence in the Middle East thanks to some outstanding performances, and their dedication to the cause is reaping dividends. 

Salhab, at 24, is the slightly more experienced of the two, and his recent achievements include victory in the 2021 Saudi Open, another title at the 40th Pan Arab Championships in Cairo, second spot at the GCC Golf Championship in Abu Dhabi and a third consecutive invite to the stellar Saudi International at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City.

“The game is coming together nicely,” Faisal told Golf Digest Middle East after competing at the Tillman Trophy in England in late July, where he scored a first-round 65 to top the leaderboard before settling for 15th in a talented field. “It’s still not completely there but things are going in the right direction.”

While still only 22, AlSharif is also showing similar promise, as he builds on his triumph at the Jordan Open late last year. 

He has been honing his game in England alongside Salhab this past month — all under the watchful eye of Golf Saudi Senior Professional Grant Smith, who is helping mentor the duo, who are based at the Claude Harmon III Academy at Els Club in Dubai. Smith offers first-hand coaching on the boys’ travels, with three more Asian Tour events on the horizon very soon ahead of the Eisenhower Trophy — the World Men’s Amateur Team Championships — in Paris.

Thanks to their progress and Golf Saudi’s backing, Salhab and AlSharif are getting more and more opportunities to shine, with multiple events on the Asian Tour‚ including the new International Series which took them to Slaley Hall, Newcastle, for the Tour’s first-ever event in England.

Faisal Salhab has been gaining vital experience at the Saudi International and Asian Tour tournaments in Europe

“With the Asian Tour events we have been given the opportunity to play in, those have really sharpened up our game,” said AlSharif, embracing the journey the pair are on together. “Speaking of myself, they have been a very important reason behind my being comfortable out there in any tournament I have been in, or any situation I have faced, because I am now in these bigger fields with more to play for and playing alongside all these professionals. 

“It is a massive plus for my game and I am so grateful for that. It is really showing in how we both perform and also how we feel more confident and comfortable in some of the other amateur events — it is such a positive thing. We certainly don’t take it for granted and are very grateful to Golf Saudi and the Asian Tour for these opportunities.”

Salhab is happy to concur.

“What is happening with the Asian tour is great,” he added. “Especially with the International Series as it’s giving an opportunity to both me and Saud to test ourselves with some of the top players. The field was so strong in Newcastle and there was the added incentive of a spot at the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational Series up for grabs, which made the competition even more intense.”

Intense is also a word you could use to describe the elements in the UK for these two, who are much more used to the sunshine and warmth of the Middle East.

“The weather was certainly different,” laughed Salhab, who found the course layouts more of a challenge than the wind and rain. 

“It was much colder than we were used to but very enjoyable. It is nice to escape the heat sometimes. The biggest difference were the types of courses over here, whether it would be links or heathland or parkland, it’s very different to the courses back home.”

With Golf Saudi’s links to Greg Norman’s innovative LIV Golf adventure, the series has inevitably caught the attention of the Saudi pair, who would love to play alongside the likes of Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Paul Casey, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Patrick Reed and Henrik Stenson at the ground-breaking, 54-hole tournaments in the future. 

“I am very hopeful — whenever it happens — to tee it up with those guys,” said AlSharif. “They are some of the best players in the world, and LIV Golf is a very cool format, if you ask me. It would be very cool to be part of that environment.”

Salhab also thinks it is a welcome addition to the golfing calendar. “To be able to be competing in the Asian tour and in the International Series is already a bonus,” he said. “Of course, if I get the opportunity with LIV Golf, it would be incredible, and I would be interested in competing there.”

Saud AlSharif is based at CH3 Academy in Dubai, where he works with Jamie McConnell

NEXT STEPS
Back to the immediate future, and CH3 coach Jamie McConnell has been helping out from afar as Faisal and Saud continue their travels.

“We have done some online lessons with Jamie when being in the UK with the supervision of Golf Saudi’s Grant, and implemented what needs to be worked on,” explained Salhab. “Also with the support of the national team we were able to do a training camp at Centurion in Hertfordshire, England, and keep playing events to not get too rusty.”

Soon the pair will be back in Dubai after their summer trip to the UK, but that doesn’t mean the work stops, even if the heat is unrelenting, as there are the Asian Tour’s remaining 2022 events coming up thick and fast. 

“My plans over the next few weeks when I get back to the UAE are training with Jamie at Claude Harmon III Academy at the Els Club in Dubai for the upcoming Asian Tour schedule,” said AlSharif. “We obviously haven’t seen Jamie in a while as we have been on the road, so we are heading back his way now for some prepping in Dubai. It might be in the heat, but we are used to that these days! 

“We are looking forward to the fully packed schedule for the rest of the year on the Asian Tour and beyond. I feel like it is going to be a good year for all of us and, hopefully, we get a lot of chances. But we will go out there, enjoy it and give it our best and see what happens.” 

Despite the travel and hard work, Salhab is also eager to keep going.

“I’m keen to play all the International Series events on the Asian tour, also I have never competed in the Eisenhower Trophy which I’m very excited about,” he said. “There are also a few Asian Development Tour events and I am hoping to play in the Saudi international again next year. I want to use all the knowledge from the upcoming season to try to compete at that event. It would mean so much to me to do well at an event on home soil. 

“I believe I have the game it takes to be competing out there. It still has not come together on the Asian Tour but I see the light at the end of the tunnel and just have to keep at it and something good will happen.”

You may also like:
Ciganda targets Spanish success as Aramco Team Series returns to Sotogrande
WATCH: Highlights from the ISPS Handa World Invitational
Stark and Ferguson prevail at ISPS Handa World Invitational
Chiara Noja consolidates top spot in LETAS Order of Merit
What to make of the Cam Smith ruling at FedEx St Jude Championship
Your FedEx Cup standings
Zalatoris survives playoff for maiden PGA Tour title at FedEx St Jude Championship
Cam Smith lurks at FedEx Cup Playoffs
Doherty and Ferguson close in on victory at ISPS Handa
McIlroy and Scheffler miss cut at FedEx Cup Playoffs
WATCH: Jon Rahm’s ridiculous skip shot
Bubba resignation could change fate of four PGA Tour hopefuls
Tony Finau closing in on Tiger Woods’ mark
Why PGA Tour has not suspended Cameron Smith
Rickie Fowler in the swing with new caddie at FedEx Cup Playoffs
Ferguson and Doherty lead the way in Northern Ireland tri-sanctioned event
LIV Golf’s Scott Vincent rolling again in Singapore
Patrick Reed expects more LIV Golfers to compete on Asian Tour
Reed was ‘on the fence’ but loving team life on LIV Golf
LIV Golfers take in the sights ahead of International Series Singapore
Key stories to follow at FedEx Cup Playoffs
Carlos Ortiz withdraws from LIV Golf lawsuit
Cameron Smith tight-lipped over LIV Golf reports

The post Flying the flag: Saudi Arabia’s Faisal Salhab and Saud AlSharif ready for next step in their careers appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Salhab, who was victorious in two events during 2021 in the MENA region, has started to make waves on the international stage, shot a first-round six-under 65 at Castle Royle, and is targeting a return to the winner’s circle.

Both events in England showcased world-class amateurs, with 132 competing at the Tillman Trophy and 113 at Walton Heath. On very different courses to those in the Middle East, Salhab demonstrated his adaptability and development across a wide range of layouts and set-ups.

The Walton Heath and Tillman Trophy have produced some exceptional winners in the past with 2016 Masters Champion Danny Willett and four-time major champ Ernie Els both making their names in these competitions.

“The preparation that I’ve done in the UK has given me a lot more confidence in my game,” said Salhab. “By playing on different courses, I’ve had to adapt to the variety of conditions, which in turn has made me a more of a complete player. I am now focused and looking forward to competing at these next few tournaments in Asia.”

Golf Saudi National Team coach Grant Smith is confident Salhab is ready for the next step

“Both Faisal and Saud (AlSharif, fellow Saudi amateur also competed in England) have a tremendous amount of talent and they both proved that by competing in these high-calibre tournaments in new and challenging conditions,” said Smith. “It was great to witness the hard work and preparation that was put in transcending into some really positive results. They can be extremely proud of how they are representing themselves and their country on the international stage.”

Alsharif, 22, also put in a strong performance at Castle Royle, finishing T-36, after winning the 2021 Jordan Open.

“I have taken away many positives from my experience playing in these UK tournaments over the summer,” he said. “It was a challenge not only for my physical game but also my mind. I proved to myself that I was able to post a good score when I needed to in order to make the cut by fighting for every shot until the final putt was sunk.”

Both players now head to the Asian Tour International Series events in Singapore and South Korea as recognised amateurs and they will play against some of the game’s greatest players.

You may also like:
Get the August 2022 edition of Golf Digest Middle East FREE here in English and Arabic
PGA Tour releases full 2022-23 schedule
Phil Mickelson becomes highest-paid athlete of 2022
WATCH: LIV Golf highlights from Bedminster
Stenson takes debut LIV Golf title at Bedminster
LIV Golf takeaways after third event in New Jersey
The Gulf Club: Latest news from the UAE and beyond up to August
Crocker takes the glory at Hero Open
Finau goes back-to-back on PGA Tour
Furue claims Women’s Scottish Open title in style
Henrik Stenson stretches LIV Golf lead
Whirlwind start for Stenson at Bedminster
LIV Golf Bedminster teams revealed
Speaking with Centurion Club’s Scott Evans 
The LIV Golf wrinkle impacting the FedExCup Playoffs
Sergio holds off on quitting DP World Tour
LIV Golf to feature relegation and qualification from 2023
LIV Golf Bedminster: Ready for Round 3
Stenson defends LIV Golf decision
The Gulf Club: The Latest UAE news from July 2022
The Gulf Club: The latest UAE news from June 2022
The Gulf Club: All the latest news from around the UAE and beyond

The post Golf Saudi amateurs Faisal Salhab and Saud AlSharif shine in England appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Four-time Omega Dubai Ladies Masters champion and former world No. 1 Shanshan Feng has announced her retirement. The ground-breaking Chinese star made waves on the LPGA and Ladies European Tour for her dominant streak in the 2010s — including four Dubai titles in the space of five years on the Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club from 2012-2016, and the 2012 PGA Championship. She will now help coach the China National Team.

Ramli and Faye triumph in Sharjah

Faye Muhammed

Experience and youth shone through at the Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club’s Radisson Blu Ajman Midweek Special as low handicapper Ramli Sulaiman and upcoming star Faye Muhammed teamed up with six birdies and no dropped shots to claim top spot on 66.

Faisal gears up

Faisal Salhab

Golf Saudi’s highest ranked amateur golfer Faisal Salhab has continued his progress with two excellent results in England. A T-15 in the Tilmann trophy at Castle Royle Golf and Country Club, Reading, was followed by a 16th place in the world-renowned Walton Heath Trophy in Surrey have the 25-year-old in fine shape ahead of the second half of the Asian Tour, its International Series events and the world amateur team Eisenhower Trophy.

Fashion in store

Duca del Cosma in Dubai

Italian golf fashion brand Duca del Cosma has opened its first luxury store in Dubai. Located at the luxury retail and entertainment hub of Gate Avenue in Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC), the outlet will showcase the brand’s exclusive hand-crafted shoes and accessories, offering golfers the opportunity to stay chic on the fairways. Operated in partnership with White Eagle Sport — a Dubai-based multi-sports event company — the store will provide comfort and style with Duca del Cosma’s designer golf shoes.

Chiara rests

Chiara Noja

Dubai-based Chiara Noja is taking some well-earned time off. After her 11th-placed finish in the €40,000 Santander Golf Tour Malaga in Spain on the Ladies European Tour Access Series extended her lead in the 2022 LETAS Order of Merit and Rookie of the Year standings, the 16-year-old German is going to have a time out after several competitive weeks on tour. A visibly tired Noja signed for a level-par 72 and a three-over finish over the three rounds in Malaga, and admitted she has “hit a wall”. However, she is still in great shape to get her full Ladies European Tour card at the first time of asking this season.

EGC and Yas take top awards

Emirates Golf Club

UAE clubs Emirates Golf Club and Yas Links Abu Dhabi have won top prizes at the Asian Golf Awards. EGC claimed best championship course in Middle East-Africa, while Yas Links won best golf course in Middle East-Africa.

DP World Tour Championship tickets now available

Collin Morikawa.

Registration is now open for those wishing to attend the DP World Tour Championship, which takes place on the Jumeirah Golf Estates Earth Course in Dubai from November 17-20. The traditional season-ending event will be bigger than ever with the Rolex Series event offering $10 million in prize money along with 12,000 DP World Tour Ranking Points as the top players fight for the honour of becoming the 2022 DP World Tour season-long champion.

You may also like:
The Gulf Club: The Latest UAE news from July 2022
The Gulf Club: The latest UAE news from June 2022
The Gulf Club: All the latest news from around the UAE and beyond
PGA Tour releases full 2022-23 schedule
Phil Mickelson becomes highest-paid athlete of 2022
WATCH: LIV Golf highlights from Bedminster
Stenson takes debut LIV Golf title at Bedminster
LIV Golf takeaways after third event in New Jersey
Crocker takes the glory at Hero Open
Finau goes back-to-back on PGA Tour
Furue claims Women’s Scottish Open title in style
Henrik Stenson stretches LIV Golf lead
Whirlwind start for Stenson at Bedminster
LIV Golf Bedminster teams revealed
Speaking with Centurion Club’s Scott Evans 
The LIV Golf wrinkle impacting the FedExCup Playoffs
Sergio holds off on quitting DP World Tour
LIV Golf to feature relegation and qualification from 2023
LIV Golf Bedminster: Ready for Round 3
Stenson defends LIV Golf decision

The post The Gulf Club — all the latest golf news around the UAE and beyond up to August 2, 2022 appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The 24-year-old amateur rose to prominence in 2021 on the back of a strong showing over the past 12 months. His win at the recent Saudi Open was his crowning achievement, but he has also performed consistently all year including an impressive performance at last month’s GCC Golf Championship in Abu Dhabi, where Salhab was the stand-out performer for Saudi Arabia, taking second spot in the individual standings.

The one man who has seen this growth first-hand is Jamie McConnell at Claude Harmon III Academy at The Els Club, Dubai.

“Having worked with Faisal for more than three years, it has been nothing short of astounding to see not only his improvements during this period, but more impressively his change in dedication, perspective and drive to succeed,” said Jamie.

“Looking back on our first training camp with the team, Faisal always stood out as one of the most talented members of the panel. However, at that point in time he was quite content with simply being a member of the team and competing alongside his friends and countrymen in the local and regional events. Sitting at over 3,000 in the amateur rankings, there were very few aspirations to really push towards the top level or any commitments in terms of real time to golf. Yet that all changed a few months later with one short quip that at the time I didn’t realise would have such an impact on him.

“That camp seemed to change something in Faisal, at the end of it we had a chat and he mentioned that he really wanted to take things more seriously, and that representing his country at the highest level is something which he felt he could certainly achieve. This is something I have heard many times from players but rarely do they follow the necessary actions in order to really see any significant changes.

“Not Faisal … The following week upon returning to Saudi, I knew something had changed. Videos started to arrive — questions, feedback on how his game was progressing. This was a different person. This was a young man who had found his purpose and his drive to achieve the things that we knew he was capable of.

“This began his ascent towards the top 100 in the rankings and that is just the beginning of where he would really like to take his talents. It’s an exciting prospect and one that I really cannot wait to see.

“It can’t go without saying however, there are a number of people that really need to be mentioned including his teammates Saud Al Shariff and Othman Almulla who have paved the way from the outset and continue to work closely with Faisal to get better —  and also his mentor Prince Khalid Al Faisal, who has been a big part of the team’s success in recent times.”

With more and more Saudi activity in the game of golf, we can be sure to hear a lot more of Faisal and the team in the near future.

MORE
Thai stars sign up for Aramco Team Series — Bangkok
Saudi golf continues to thrive
Asian Tour breaking new ground with Trust Golf events
Chantananuwat clings on to lead at Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup
Thai teen Ratchanon Chantananuwat’s learning curve at Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup
Tiger confirms he will play Open at St Andrews
Scottie Scheffler continues the ride of his life

The post Meet Faisal Salhab, Saudi Arabia’s next big thing in golf appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

It has been quite a 12 months for golf in Saudi Arabia as we are already beginning to see some fruit from the investment, training, infrastructure improvements and dedication that Golf Saudi has put into the sport over the past year.

This weekend we saw Othman Almulla, the Kingdom’s first professional golfer, make it through to the weekend of the inaugural Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup — something of a groundbreaking tournament in itself.

This comes on the back of a strong showing from Saudi Arabia at last month’s GCC Golf Championship in Abu Dhabi — and an impressive 2021-22 season overall — for the Kingdom’s top players.

The National Team finished second in the six-team GCC event over three rounds at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s National Course.

Faisal Salhab was the stand-out performer for Saudi Arabia, taking second spot in the individual standings to go with his team runners-up medal. Qatar came out on top in that event, while Saleh Al Kaabi of Qatar took individual honours by four shots from Salhab.

There was also an impressive performance from Saudi junior Ali Babtain, taking second position in the individual competition in the UAE, six strokes behind Kuwait’s Salem Alabkal.

The game in Saudi Arabia continues to grow on both a professional and amateur level and this season has already produced a number of impressive results.

Faisal Salhab in action at the Saudi Open

Leading Saudi amateur golfer Faisal Salhab was crowned champion of the sixth edition of the Saudi Open in December, booking a spot at the Saudi International alongside Saud Al Sharif and Almullah, allowing the trio to gain priceless experience alongside some of the best golfers on the planet.

Another highlight towards the end of last year was Al Sharif’s triumphs in the MENA event in Bahrain and then the Jordan Open Golf Championship, prevailing against 85 golfers from 11 countries over three days in Aqaba.

Saud Al Sharif with coach Jamie McConnell

Jamie McConnell, Director of Instruction at Claude Harmon Performance Academy Dubai, coaches amateurs Faisal and Saud — along with helping pro Othman — and is impressed at the advancements he has witnessed in his players and the Saudi game.

“We began working with the Saudi National Team three years ago, with a small group of young, eager men arriving to our academy keen to get to work,” he told Golf Digest Middle East. “At that point the team had a minimal amount of high-level tournament experience and the highest ranked player in the team was approximately 3,000th in the world amateur rankings.

“Our plan was introduce them to regular instruction and long-term planning to help them develop their game, while also exposing them to as many high-level tournaments as possible. This plan would not have been possible without the unwavering support of Golf Saudi who have backed and encouraged the team throughout.

“This support has allowed the team members to compete in tournaments that range from Elite amateur events to some of the highest ranked professional events in the world.

“We have seen Faisal and Saud really separate themselves from the rest of the team and achieve some amazing results in the process. Saud was the first out of the blocks by taking the Amateur win on the MENA tour which took place in Bahrain, and backed this up with another win in Jordan amateur a few months later. Meanwhile Faisal followed swiftly in Saud’s footsteps with a win at the Saudi Invitational and the Pan Arab Championships.

“These results culminated in both players breaking into the top 500 players in the world, and Faisal reaching No. 75 in the WAGR rankings. In a three-year period this is a particularly impressive feat and I think it is safe to say that it is only the beginning.”

The players are also keen to express their gratitude for the support.

“It is a great honour to win this title, especially in light of the great competition and the high-level of competition on show from this weekend’s golfers, which makes this achievement even more extra special for me,” Salhab said after his impressive Saudi Open performance, breaking the course record at Riyadh Golf Club in the process.

“This is all thanks to the continuous support us National Team players receive, whether that’s from the Saudi Golf Federation or Golf Saudi, their backing enhances our chances of performing to the best of our abilities.”

Mohammed Al-Issa, Executive Manager of the Saudi Golf Federation, observed: “We are of course delighted by Faisal’s victory, which confirms the great progress the Saudi National Team has made in recent years.”

As McConnell said, this looks like it is only the beginning.

MORE
Chantananuwat clings on to lead at Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup
Thai teen Ratchanon Chantananuwat’s learning curve at Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup
Tiger confirms he will play Open at St Andrews
Scottie Scheffler continues the ride of his life
Every Tiger Woods Masters record
The entire field at Augusta, ranked
The history of honorary starters 

The post Saudi golf continues to thrive thanks to support appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

 The 25-year-old has risen to No. 70 in the official World Amateur Golf Rankings on the back of victories at the 6th Saudi Open and 40th Pan Arab Championships in Cairo.

Salhab’s victory in the individual standings at Dreamland Golf Resort in Egypt also spearheaded Saudi Arabia to just its second teams gold medal– by a whopping eight strokes over Qatar.

The victory at the Saudi Open, which included a course record 66 around Riyadh Golf Club, earned Salhab an invite to the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers. Though he missed the cut by six strokes after rounds of 75-75, the experience gained teeing it up in a field including the likes of Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Bubba Watson and eventual champion Harold Varner III cannot be underestimated.

It was Salhab’s third Asian Tour start in as many months and he has been the leading Saudi amateur at each stop: 113th at the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship and T109th  at both the Laguna Phuket Championship and the Saudi International. 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Saudi International (@saudiintlgolf)

A stroke average of 74.83 in his six Asian Tour rounds thus far is a benchmark to work with, just as the eye-catching performances of Ratchanon Chantananuwat are something to aspire to. The Thai 14-year-old amateur has impressively made the cut in all five of his Asian Tour starts thus far, including both Phuket events and the Saudi International where he finished T71.

Salhab is grateful to Golf Saudi for the opportunities to learn at the highest level. 

 “This is all thanks to the continuous support us National Team players receive, whether that’s from the Saudi Golf Federation or Golf Saudi, their backing enhances our chances of performing to the best of our abilities.”

 Saud Al Sharif is up to 371st in the WAGR chiefly on the back of his Jordan Open victory late last year. Al Sharif went on to finish 141st, 130th and 115th at Blue Canyon, Laguna Phuket and Royal Greens respectively. 

 Jamie McConnell, the Director of Instruction at the Claude Harmon Performance Academy Dubai, coaches Al Sharif and is pleased with the progress of the entire Saudi national team.

 “The team have been working exceptionally hard over the last few months with some fantastic results including three victories from Saud and Faisal which was fantastic to see, and more than earned through their hard work and dedication,” said McConnell.

 “I think this year the biggest help has been the schedule that they have been able to play. Mixing a full summer of amateur events with some more recent Asian Tour events allows them to really feel what it is like to play, travel and adapt to different scenarios, climates and courses. This is a huge part of learning to compete at the highest level and I must compliment Golf Saudi on not only backing them to play in these events, but also opening the doors required to do so.”

“The next few months will involve a sit-down review of what we have been through and achieved over the last few months, while also reflecting on what needs to be improved before what will be a hectic period in the late spring and through the summer.” 

The Kingdom’s leading amateurs have pushed Saudi’s pioneering professional Othman Almulla all winter long with the world’s 1697th ranked player recording 113th, 126th and T100 finishes at the two Phuket events and the Saudi International respectively.

Like the amateurs, Almulla continues to work tirelessly towards his dream and posted a poignant message during the Saudi International entitled “keep going”.

 “It will take time; it will take pain; it will break you down and force you to become stronger. But everything you are going through right now will take you to places you could have never imagined. Have faith in your journey and trust in yourself because one day, you will get there. – Walk the Earth.”

golfsaudi.com

The post Faisal Salhab spearheads promising performance surge by Saudi amateurs  appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The national amateur team representative captured the 6th Saudi Open on Saturday and did so in some style. A course-record six-under 66 helped him finish 11-under for the 54-hole event at Riyadh Golf Club and win by a whopping five strokes from the Kingdom’s top-ranked amateur Saud Al Sharif who finished T-2 alongside Spaniard Gabriel Sanz and Qatari Ali Al-Shahrani.

The event was open to all professional and amateur golfers in the Middle East and North Africa and saw 88 players from 27 countries compete. The lure was a start in the Feb. 3-6 2022 Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, coincidently the start of the 2022 Asian Tour season.

That start is now Salhab’s and means he will tee it up in the same field as 25 of the world’s leading players including two-time defending champion Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Xander Schauffele, Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott and Bubba Watson.

RELATED: Schauffele, Scott, Watson and Dufner join returning superstars in star-studded Saudi Int. field

It will be another step up again from his invites to the Asian Tour’s Phuket Series as part of a Saudi delegation.

Salhab in action during the Asian Tour’s Blue Canyon Phuket Championship in late November. (Photo Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour)

Salhab improved on a +9 (81-72) performance at the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship where he finished T-134th in the 144-strong field by placing 109th at the Laguna Phuket Championship the following week with a +6 (73-73) return.

He was the leading Saudi amateur at both Thai events which marked the Asian Tour’s return to action after a 20-month COVID-19 enforced hiatus and saw the pros jockeying to finish inside the top-30 of the Order of Merit to earn starts at the Saudi International.

That race will conclude with a Singapore double-header next month but Salhab needn’t worry about that after securing his place at Riyadh Golf Club. Like all the Saudi players, his development is being fast-tracked by the Asian Tour experiences and there looks likely to be more starts to come after Saudi-financed LIV Golf Investments pumping $200 million into 10 new premier Asian Tour events from 2022.

“It is a great honour to win this title, especially in light of the great competition and the high-level of competition on show from this weekend’s golfers, which makes this achievement even more extra special for me,” Salhab said afterwards.

“This is all thanks to the continuous support us National Team players receive, whether that’s from the Saudi Golf Federation or Golf Saudi, their backing enhances our chances of performing to the best of our abilities. A special thanks must also go to the Golf Saudi agronomy team who have prepared the course here at Riyadh Golf Club incredibly well. Finally, it was fantastic to see so many other players from around the Middle East come to Riyadh to compete, underlining the reputation of the Saudi Open.”

Mohammed Al-Issa, Executive Manager of the Saudi Golf Federation, said: “We have seen some remarkable performances over the past three days. The great concentration and focus of the players contributed to an incredibly exciting competition. We are of course delighted by Faisal’s victory, which confirms the great progress the Saudi National Team has made in recent years. We want to see our players continue to win trophies in 2022, and we will watch Faisal’s progress closely at next year’s Saudi International and we already excited about hosting the seventh edition of the Saudi Open and to welcoming back all of our competitors to the Kingdom once again.”

The Saudi Open is part of a series of events that Golf Saudi holds annually to develop raise awareness of the game in the Kingdom as well as developing home-grown future talent.

Kurtis Clement, Faisal Salhab, Abdulaziz Al Anezi and Mohammed Al-Issa.

The post Amateur Faisal Salhab wins start alongside golf’s biggest stars at Saudi International appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.