The 22-year-old intends addressing his putting problems this week and will likely feel the positive vibes from last year at Doha Golf Club flood back if he does.

Related: After late misery in Muscat, Wood eyes more Doha delight

Wang took a three-stroke advantage into the final round last year and ironically watched a lengthy birdie putt that would have claimed the Mother of Pearl Trophy on the 72nd hole brake agonisingly shot, and right in the jaws, of the cup.

But when Jaco Van Zyl three putted the par-5 18th at the first time of asking in sudden death (for a fifth European Tour bridesmaid finish), and Swede Joakim Lagergren left himself too much to do from a greenside trap, Wang didn’t need a second invitation and coolly cupped a shorter birdie attempt.

Related: Wang’s meteoric rise continues with dramatic Qatar Masters triumph

At 21 years and 144 days old, he became the third youngest player in European Tour history to win three events. The two gentlemen above him on the list? Italian whiz kid Matteo Manassero and a bloke so legendary he needed only one name, Seve.

But Wang was so in the zone it almost, well sort of, passed him by even if he now concedes “it was a really good experience for me, an unforgettable one.”

“It feels really good to be going back as the defending champion but I don’t remember a lot from last year because all I was thinking about was winning,” said Wang who warmed up for his title defence with a T-26 finish at last week’s NBO Oman Open.

Indeed, Wang’s form has been encouraging in 2018: he was T-15 in Abu Dhabi, T-6 in Dubai and T-62 in Kuala Lumpur. His world ranking, which soared to 39 after the Qatar triumph, has slipped to No.123 after he finished 48th in last season’s Race to Dubai standings, a year after a career high 16th finish when he won the Trophée Hassan II – also after a play-off – and the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open.

Jeunghun Wang finished T-26 at the NBO Oman Open. Andrew Redington/Getty Images.

But Wang is a genuine wizard with a wedge around the greens (Golf Digest has seen it first hand after partnering Wang in the 2016 Abu Dhabi pro-am), touch that could equally take some of the heat off that recently and relatively cold putter.

“I’m hitting the ball really well right now, I’m driving well, my irons are good but my putting is not great in the last couple of weeks. If I putt well maybe I can give myself a chance to win again.”

Oman Open champion Joost Luiten and Race to Dubai leader Shubhankar Sharma, after wins at December’s Joburg Open and the Maybank Championship in Malaysia earlier this month, will give Wang a run for the coveted Pearl trophy.

Related: Joost boost as Luiten wins in Muscat

“I watched Jeunghun Wang last year on the television and that was really nice to see,” said Sharma whose preparation wasn’t ideal after rounds of 73-72 at Al Moj saw him miss just his second European Tour cut and his first since the 2016 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open.

Andrew Redington/Getty Images. Race to Dubai leader Shubhankar Sharma.

“I know it’s very windy and it looks challenging but I think I will really enjoy it there. Obviously I’m playing well at the moment and I will be hoping for another good week.”

Former Open champions Paul Lawrie (1999), who has twice triumphed in the Qatari capital, and Darren Clarke (2011) are also confirmed starters along Thomas Bjorn.

The European Ryder Cup captain has played the Qatar Masters 13 times, made the cut 10 times and enjoyed three top 10s including victory in 2011. He shared 31st in Muscat and will be buoyed that 10 of this 13 rounds this season have produced red numbers, six of them sub-70 efforts.

The post Wang seeks co-operation from his putter ahead of Mother of Pearl trophy defence appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
Chris Wood’s baggage for the short flight from Muscat to Doha for the final leg of the 2018 Desert Swing had all the normal golf swag, a bit of happy history and a whole lot of fresh regret.

The 30-year-old Englishman couldn’t hide the hurt after being edged by pal Joost Luiten for the inaugural NBO Oman Open title on Sunday:

Gutted to finish 2nd in Oman but a great start back with @PaulMitchGolf pic.twitter.com/yJCH3zDalE

— Chris Wood (@Chris3Wood) February 18, 2018

“You play poorly for six or eight months without ever thinking you’d put yourself in contention in a tournament and then when you do you’re gutted when you don’t win,” he told EuropeanTour.com

Still, it was an encouraging change of fortune after a stellar 2016, when he won the European Tour’s flagship BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and went on to make his Ryder Cup debut, gave way to a decidedly ordinary 2017 featuring just three top-10s and a seriously worrying start to the New Year with missed cuts in Gauteng, Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

“I’m pretty down really but in the grand scheme of things it’s night and day to how I’ve been. After a couple of days I’m sure I’ll reflect and see it’s a big step in the right direction this week,” he continued.

Related: Wang seeks co-operation from putter for title defence

“Joost played great to shoot four under [on Sunday]. He’s a good mate of mine. I’m annoyed that I haven’t won but I’m pleased for him. We spend a lot of time together so it’s great to see a friend win.”

Wood also has fond memories of Doha Golf Club to draw on. The first of his thus far four European Tour titles came at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in 2013 when he edged George Coetzee and Sergio Garcia by a shot.

“On to Qatar where I’ve won before. Given I’ve turned up at most events with no confidence, I probably feel like I can go to an event next week with a little bit of confidence.”

The post After late misery in Muscat, Wood eyes more Doha delight appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
On the homepage of Joost Luiten’s own website, the Dutchman boldly claims he’s “at my best when I’m under pressure”.  Quite.

The 32-year-old again held his nerve down the stretch on a Sunday to win the inaugural NBO Oman Open by two strokes from Englishman Chris Wood. Luiten started the final round at Al Mouj tied for the lead at -12 and while Frenchman Julien Guerrier faded to solo third with a 71 and Englishman Matthew Southgate dipped to a share of ninth after a 75, a closing 68 saw Luiten claim a sixth European Tour title.

It also saw the world No.90 extend his winning record when leading through 54 holes to an utterly impressive five from seven even if he needed all his closing qualities to get the job done in Muscat.

He’s done it! ? @joostluitenofficial wins the #NBOOManOpen.

A post shared by European Tour (@europeantour) on Feb 18, 2018 at 4:28am PST

Three successive birdies from the second saw Luiten race to a three shot lead but bogeys at 7 and 8 enabled Wood draw level at -13. Robert Rock, a blast from the past who counts the 2012 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship among his two European Tour titles, briefly made it a three-way tie at the top but three closing bogeys ended his challenge.

The stage was left to Luiten and Wood but everytime the latter (playing in the penultimate group) birdied, Luiten responded immediately, decisively so on the par 5 16th. A bogey on the next hole was Wood’s only blemish in a closing 69 and gave Luiten a two shot buffer down the 72nd hole.

From the runner-up to the winner ??

A nice touch from @Chris3Wood… pic.twitter.com/UF2upVxBsf

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 18, 2018

Luiten’s last win came at his home KLM Open in 2016. He was 36th in last season’s Race to Dubai in a consistent season featuring two top-10s, a runner-up finish to host Sergio Garcia at the Andalucia Valderrama Masters the bitter-sweet highlight. Another tilt at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship now beckons with Luiten rocketing up to 10th in the 2018 Race to Dubai standings after starting the week on the bubble in 60th place.

It earns the Dutchman a start in the March 1-4 WGC-Mexico Championship and an outside shot at a Ryder Cup debut in Paris this September. The performance didn’t go unnoticed by European captain Thomas Bjorn who celebrated his 47th birthday with a share of 31st place.

Congratulations to @joostluiten on a great performance in Oman!!!
Top class golf on top class golf course.

— Thomas Bjorn (@thomasbjorngolf) February 18, 2018

“This is why you play golf, to hold trophies,” Luiten told EuropeanTour.com afterwards.

“It’s always tough to win out here, all these guys are so good and they keep putting pressure on you.Down the stretch I hit some nice shots, I made some nice putts and it was a nice battle with my friend Woody. I did drop a couple of silly ones going out. My aim after that was just to create chances and hopefully take a few.

“The putt on 16 really closed the door on the other guys. I wasn’t tempted to go for the green in two. I played that hole smart. As for the Ryder Cup, I need to win a couple more times to have a chance. But if I play more good golf, you never know what might happen.”

Luiten is a confirmed starter for next week’s Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at Doha Golf Club where South Korea’s Jeunghun Wang will defend.

The final leaderboard:

?? -16 Luiten
??????? -14 Wood
?? -13 Guerrier
?? -11 Han
?? -11 Campillo
?? -11 Levy
?? -10 Zanotti
??????? -10 Rock

All Scores: https://t.co/ce7cATJvNA pic.twitter.com/na0pFIdCto

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 18, 2018

The post Dutch delight as Joost Luiten wins in Muscat appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Frenchman Julien Guerrier, Joost Luiten of The Netherlands and Englishman Matthew Southgate will start the final round of the $1.75 million event tied for the lead at 12 under par, a shot ahead of Chris Wood. Every one within five strokes of the lead – 13 players in all – will fancy their chances but if Saturday’s topsy-turvy scoring at Al Mouj is any indication, the final round in Muscat is going to a dramatic shootout peppered with red, blue and even black numbers.

If you’re looking for momentum going into Sunday, look no further than the trio of leaders.

Guerrier, Guerrier and Southgate took turns to birdie the testy par-4 18th to cap rounds of 66, 66 and 69 respectively. Southgate’s gain was achieved with the longest putt and was arguably the most impressive, a gritty way to sign of a schizophrenic round which saw him start with three successive birdies to go from two behind starting the third round to three ahead as overnight leader Matthieu Pavon was bitten by the snake early and faded to a 75.

Can he tie the lead?

Yes he can. @SouthgateMatt gets to 12 under par too. pic.twitter.com/LILGeDzCpl

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 17, 2018

But Southgate, suddenly losing his already quick rhythm, then dropped four shots in the space of four holes before a birdie on nine readied the ship and lightened the Englishman’s equilibrium.

“It was quite funny really, we birdied the ninth and I walked off and said to my caddie Gary, ‘that was nine pars Gaz, I don’t know what you’re talking about’,” said Southgate.

“He laughed and I said, ‘I’m serious, we can create any outcome that we want in our mind and we’ve just shot level par for nine holes so let’s just pretend that we’ve made nine solid pars, that we haven’t holed a putt, haven’t made a birdie and let’s just start again on the tenth.

 “That’s exactly what we did and we executed the game plan and I’ve got a 69 on the card, so it was a good day’s work.”

Southgate, who is in the hunt for his first title, resolved to take the same positive mindset into Sunday.

 “I’d love to get a win over the line but ultimately I need to learn everything I can moving forwards,” he said.  “I think that’s really important tomorrow – to be open minded enough that whatever the outcome, we’ve got to take new things on board and realise that this might be a position that we might end up in a few more times, maybe this season or the rest of my career so that’s the goal – hit good shots, make good decisions but learn stuff as well.” 

Guerrier, who won twice on the Challenge Tour last season to secure his European Tour card, bookended his round with birdies and while there was an eagle on the 12th, his 66 was blemished with a pair of front nine bogeys.

MUSCAT, OMAN – FEBRUARY 17: Julien Guerrier of France celebtares his birdie on the opening hole during the third round of the NBO Oman Open at Al Mouj Golf on February 17, 2018 in Muscat, Oman. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

He’ll look to cash in on his Al Mouj knowledge Sunday.

“I’ve played four times here so I know the course quite well and I think it made the difference as on some holes you can go for it, and some you can’t, so I think it helped.

“I’ve played a lot of years on the Challenge Tour – I’ve played a couple of years on the European Tour in the past too and I want to stay here now.”

Of all the leaders, Luiten was the tidiest on moving day and crucially has the pedigree to kick on from successive 66s.

 “It was another perfect day,” said the 32-year-old who is searching for his sixth win on the European Tour and his first since capturing his home KLM Open in 2016.

MUSCAT, OMAN – FEBRUARY 16: Joost Luiten of Netherlands finnishes off his round on the par four 9th green during the second round of the NBO Oman Open at Al Mouj Golf on February 16, 2018 in Muscat, Oman. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

“There was some wind in the afternoon, but it was a light breeze which cooled things down beautifully. I played good golf. I played solid and did not get into any trouble. One bogey and seven birdies…what more do you want?”

Wood seemed to be cruising along until a pair of bogeys on the 17th and 18th proved his snakebite. He was lucky though – a members bounce off the rocks on the 18th could have go the other way into the Gulf of Oman and he is very much in the mix for his first win since the 2016 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth after missing three successive cuts to start 2018.

The luckiest tee shot of 2018.@Chris3Wood ? pic.twitter.com/nmJ4kzXz9d

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 17, 2018

Dubai-domiciled Spaniard Adrian Oteagui sits at 10 under after a faultless 66 while Frenchman Alexander Levy, the highest ranked player in the field at No.62, signed for a 67 to get to -9. Levy has added motivation to ride the ladder Sunday –  currently 11^th in the Race to Dubai standings, he needs to squeeze into the top 10 to secure a spot in next month’s WGC-Mexico Championship.

The post Snakes and Ladders has Southgate, Luiten and Guerrier tied heading into Sunday in Muscat appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
With Frenchman Alexander Levy the highest ranked player in the field at No. 62 in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR), the new NBO Oman Open offers fading stars and lesser lights the chance to shine.

Paul Waring and Matthew Southgate duly obliged Thursday, the Englishmen grabbing a share of the lead in the $1.75 million European Tour event with seven under 65s.

Both went bogey free around the majestic Al Mouj Golf layout but Southgate’s card was illuminated by an ace on island green 5th. The seven iron dunk from 165 yards was the 29-year-old’s second hole-in-one inside a month after he binned a nine iron on the par-3 7th at Emirates Golf Club during last month’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic; it was also the second ace on the historic day in Muscat after German Marcel Siem holed out from 162 yards on the 13th moments earlier. In a bizarre coincidence, the caddies of both players are twin brothers – Gary and Guy Tilson. 

Southgate and Waring lead by a shot from Dutchman Daan Huizing who hit the first shot of the championship and just 65 further strokes to cash in on a special invite having played four of the five Challenge Tour events previously held at Al Mouj, including a T-10 at last November’s NBO Golf Classic Grand Final.

Ryder Cupper Andy Sullivan and fellow Englishman Callum Shinkwin were a shot further back after 67s while Matteo Manassero’s name was a welcome sight among a group of six players on 68.

Waring, the world No. 251, will be relived with his fast start after a challenging beginning to 2018 which has seen the 33-year-old miss three successive cuts en-route to Muscat after opening the wrap-around season with a T-41 effort in Hong Kong before Christmas.

Paul Waring

The 2005 English amateur champion played last season on a medical exemption after wrist and shoulder problems but also enjoyed a career-best campaign, finishing 60th on the Race to Dubai rankings and saw light despite the unwanted weekends off.

“I’d missed three cuts on the spin but I didn’t feel like I’d played badly to miss them. I didn’t feel too far away,” Waring told EuropeanTour.com after a round that included a hat-trick of birdies from the 14th (he started at 10) and birdies on all four par 5s.

“It was definitely a bit of a glide. I played some of the best golf I’ve played for a little while. I actually missed a few chances, which sounds ridiculous. I did hole a nice one on one from 30 or 40 feet which is nice to keep the momentum going. I’m really happy with that.”

Southgate’s early form hasn’t been much better than Waring’s. Ranked 163rd in the latest OWGR, he missed the cut at the SA Open and in Abu Dhabi before T-57 and T-62 finishes in Dubai and Kuala Lumpur.   

It was a good day for this guy ?

Shoots 65
Makes a hole-in-one
Takes the first round lead pic.twitter.com/rIK3woah9R

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 15, 2018

The Southend-on-Sea professional provided one of the stories of 2015, coming through all three stages of Q-School to regain his card after surgery for testicular cancer just months earlier. More recently Southgate has been in the news for cruelly incurring a four stroke penalty at the DAP Championship during last September’s Web.com finals, a freak incident that ultimately cost him a PGA Tour card.

Putting on the 15th at Canterbury Golf Club in Ohio, his ball was struck by a leaf that blew across the green, nudging the ball off line ever so slightly.

Southgate finished the hole, but made a huge error in the process as he should have placed his ball back to its original location and replayed the shot without penalty. Instead, by continuing the hole, he was handed a four-stroke penalty – two for playing from the wrong spot and two more for signing an incorrect card.

Here’s the incident:

Golf is hard … especially when you’re playing for a @PGATOUR card. pic.twitter.com/SoyWo6X01q

— Web.com Tour (@WebDotComTour) September 24, 2017

Sullivan, T-6 in Dubai and T-17 in Malaysia, is trending nicely as he looks to September’s Ryder Cup in Paris. The 31-year-old concedes complacency crept in after he slipped to 62nd place in last year’s Race to Dubai standings following back-to-back top 20 finishes in 2015 and 2016.

He achieved just two top-10s in 2017 but is determined to get back to the top after the high of qualifying for the 2016 Ryder Cup in Hazeltine.

“I think it was just a bit of complacency,” he told EuropeanTour.com. “I got to the Ryder Cup pretty early and achieved everything in really quick time and you just don’t realise how hard you have to work to maintain these things. I’d be guilty of that and of not quite performing how I wanted to.

“Since DP World we’ve put the hard work in and it’s nice to see it coming back to where it was so early. I didn’t expect it to happen quite so quickly.

“Once you’ve played one Ryder Cup you don’t want to miss another one, it’s so special. My first one was in America and obviously we got humped but the whole experience is so awesome, being a part of that team, you just don’t want to miss another one.

“One of my goals is to try and force my way into that team. I know it’s going to be difficult and I’ve left myself a lot to do but that’s where I want to be again.”

Levy, for the record, signed for a one-under 71 Thursday, as did Andrew “Beef” Johnston.  Shubhankar Sharma, the 21-year-old Indian who leads the 2018 Race to Dubai after wins at the Joburg Open and Maybank Championship in the past two months, finished with a 73 despite a near tap-in eagle on the par-5 12th.

It was a tough day for the local hopes. Al Mouj teaching professional Steven Troup (SCO) is tied for 128th overnight after a 77 while Oman national team amateur Azaan Al Rumhy carded an 80. Bahrain amateur Nasser Yaqoob was on +13 after an 85.

The post Southgate, with an ace, and Waring lead in Muscat after 65s appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
Thomas Bjørn’s buildup to the European Tour’s newest stop has been nothing if not emotional.

The Ryder Cup captain savoured having his son Oliver along for the walk during the Pro-Am on the eve of the $1.75 million NBO Oman Open at Al Mouj Golf in Muscat.

“He’s mad keen on golf and he’s had a bit of a hard time with an operation on his leg recently so it was nice for him to get out of the cold and wet back home and enjoy some sun,” said the 47-year-old. “We’ll see if he can make it around the golf course – he’s struggling a little bit – but it’s always nice to spend some time with him at golf tournaments.”

Not the only Dane father/son duo in Oman this week…@thomasbjorngolf and his son Oliver ?? pic.twitter.com/engJad2esD

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 14, 2018

The special father-son moments are a bit of a Danish theme this week; Søren Kjeldsen has his son Emil on the bag this week.

Father/son goals ?‍?

Søren Kjeldsen has his son Emil on the bag this week. pic.twitter.com/NVF3hcP16V

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 14, 2018

There was, however, a somber tinge to the day for the Danish contingent in Muscat after news filtered through that Denmark’s Prince Henrik had passed away late on Tuesday night. He was 83.

Sad day for our nation.
HRH Henrik, prince of Denmark, thank you for everything you have done for our country.
Heart and thoughts go out to our wonderful royal family at this time.
RIP

— Thomas Bjorn (@thomasbjorngolf) February 14, 2018

With September’s 42nd Ryder Cyp matches at Le Golf National looming, Bjorn’s main golf focus remains on preparations for Paris. But he’s still plugging away with his own game and will be looking to make it three cuts and four starts at Al Mouj.

After an encouraging T-30 finish in Abu Dhabi, Bjørn was a victim of the historically low scoring at the Desert Classic where he missed the cut by two shots despite being three under. He followed up with a T-39 effort in Malaysia at the Maybank Championship and is delighted to be one of the headline acts this week.

Related: This is your Ryder Cup captain speaking

“It’s great to have new events come up on the European Tour like this one. In golf you lose some events over time and you gain some, and if this kind of event – with such a beautiful golf course, a great venue and a great place to come – is the kind that we gain, it bodes well for the future,” said Bjorn who will tee it up with Kjeldsen and Belgian Thomas Detry at 7.25am in Thursday’s opening round.

“It’s just a great place to come and play golf. We enjoy all of our events in the Middle East but the Challenge Tour guys had been saying this was a great venue and a great golf course and they weren’t wrong.

“You look at some of the views on this course and some of the holes along the water, it’s spectacular. The course is great, the facilities…it’s one of those places where you come through the gate, see what’s here and realise it’s a really nice place to play golf. I’m sure anyone playing with these views will be up for it and I’m just looking forward to a nice week.”

Related: We preview the key first round groups for your viewing pleasure

Bjorn’s praise for Al Mouj echoed around the Twitter-sphere with 1999 Open champion Paul Lawrie and Ryder Cupper Andy Sullivan giving their seal of approval.

Very enjoyable pro am this morning with three very nice locals and the golf course is mint @NBOGolf pic.twitter.com/aGdZgewKur

— Paul Lawrie (@PaulLawriegolf) February 14, 2018

Great finishing hole here in Oman. Going to be a great watch stunning course #pure pic.twitter.com/t0wFHqW62B

— Andy Sullivan (@andysulligolf) February 14, 2018

The European Tour social media team are certainly impressed with the Greg Norman design, the par 3s in particular. It’s no surprise to us of course; Al Mouj rated third in our 2018 Top 10 Courses in the Middle East.

“Infinity” 11th green (left)
“Island” 5th green (right)

This week’s par 3s are epic pic.twitter.com/T5WYUDOc0C

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 14, 2018

The post Bjørn on NBO Oman Open venue Al Mouj: ‘It’s amazing here’ appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
Steven Troup has taken a merciless ribbing from his pals for weeks but hopes plenty of sly practice will allow him the last laugh when his scarcely believable European Tour dream becomes reality at 7.15am on Thursday morning.

The Scottish club pro and Oman national team coach will battle entirely understandable nerves when he tees it up in the NBO Oman Open on a special invite along with the country’s leading amateur Azaan Al Rumhy.

“I’m excited to tee it up on this big stage but also a little apprehensive,” admitted the Al Mouj teaching pro who has been grouped with European Tour winner Sam Brazel and Frenchman Adrien Saddier for the opening two rounds of the $1.75 million event.

“A few guys were joking about me playing in this European Tour event for quite some time but I always played it down and laughed it off until I actually got officially invited three weeks ago – then I started practicing a lot harder.”

Troup at least has home course knowledge – and a best score of 67 on the Greg Norman-designed track – to take to the first tee. Regardless of what happens, the Oman Golf Committee member is buzzing for the biggest sports event in the Sultanate’s history.

“Hosting a European Tour event here is absolutely massive – not just the golf club, but for Oman itself,” said Troup. “It will put this country on the world stage because this is the biggest event to be hosted out here.”

Azaan, who was crowned Oman’s top player when he won the NBO Omani Amateur Final during last year’s NBO Golf Classic Grand Final, has dreamed about the opportunity to compete in his home country against a field which includes a host past Ryder Cup players and Major champions.

“I’ve always looked forward to playing in a European Tour event after going to Dubai many times over the years to watch the stars,” says Al Rumhy. “I’ve played on smaller Tour events like when the Challenge Tour was here in November but nothing as big as this. It’s a fantastic opportunity for me so I’m privileged and honoured to represent Oman amongst this strong field.”

Azaan, last off Thursday at 1.15pm, has made it his mission to beat Bahrain amateur and good friend Nasser Yaqoob and cheekily also has Troup in his crosshairs.

“Steven is a great man. I started working with him just over a year ago and I believe he’s the best coach we have in the country,” said Al Rumhy. “He’s a good player especially his putting. My target is to beat him this weekend but regardless of the result, we will both have fun during this incredible opportunity.“

UPDATED (Thursday 12 noon, Feb.15): Troup opened with a five-over par 77 while Al Rumhy was six-over through 14 holes of his first round.

The post Scottish club pro and Omani amateur ready for European Tour dream appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The 21-year-old Indian is the surprise early leader of the season-long Race to Dubai after winning the Joburg Open and Maybank Championship in the past two months to scoot up to No.71 in the Official World Golf Rankings.

Sharma will peg it up with 2016 Ryder Cupper Andy Sullivan and Frenchman Alexander Levy at 7.15am in the marquee morning three-ball as Al Mouj Golf graduates to full European Tour status after a five year Challenge Tour apprenticeship. He’s clearly expecting a challenging week.

“I’m surprised this is the first time Al Mouj Golf has hosted a European Tour event as it’s such a great course,” he said. “It’s a tough, long course that can get windy; I definitely think that it’s a championship course. Now they have the event here I’m sure it will continue for many years to come.

“It would mean a lot to win an event in the Middle East especially at such a great course as Al Mouj Golf. I’m playing well at the moment so hopefully I can have four good rounds and we will see what happens. Every win is special to me so hopefully I can keep going and pushing my career on.”

Levy, whose ace during last month’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic earned the European Tour shot of the month award, has his eyes on a 2018 Ryder Cup spot and will tee off the 10th, 10 minutes before European captain Thomas Bjorn who is grouped with Soren Kjeldsen and Thomas Detry.

January’s Shot of the Month ?️???

Fans voted this @AlexLevyGolf shot as the European Tour’s best shot in January. pic.twitter.com/iAT9XutwdD

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 13, 2018

Fan favourite Andrew “Beef” Johnston will look to rebound from an unwanted weekend off at last week’s World Super 6 Perth when he heads off at 11.55am with former Ryder Cupper Robert Karlsson and Joost Luiten.

Thai Thongchai Jaidee, Welshman Jamie Donaldson and England’s David Horsey are off 10 minutes earlier, also from the 1st tee, while the threesome of Darren Clarke, Brett Rumford and Stephen Gallacher are sure to lure their share of the first day galleries at 12.05pm.

There will be great local interest in the performance of Omani amateur Azaan Al Rumhy (8.15am, 10th tee) and Bahrain’s Nasser Yaqoob (1.15pm, 10th tee) who qualified via the Oman amateur qualifier.

With just Sharma and Jorge Campillo in the current Race to Dubai top-10 and Levy, at No.62, the highest placed entry in the OWGR, the new Desert Swing event is wide open.

One of the stars could be Al Mouj Golf itself. The Greg Norman design, ranked third in our latest Top 10 Courses of the Middle East ranking, is in sparkling condition and set to be showcased to a global audience in excess of 400 million.

Related: Our 2018 Top 10 Courses in the Middle East ranking

Coverage of OSN Sports runs from 10.30am to 12.30pm on Thursday and resumes at 2pm-5pm.

The @NBOGolf course is ??#NBOOmanOpen pic.twitter.com/x6XcCKPj7n

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 13, 2018

The post Surprise Race to Dubai leader Sharma off early as Al Mouj makes its European Tour bow appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

His Excellency Sheikh Saad Al Saadi, Oman’s Minister of Sport, hit the ceremonial tee shot to officially open the $1.75 million NBO Oman Open.

The shot off the 1st tee at Al Mouj Golf is the culmination of a five-year journey for golf in the Sultanate. The Muscat club has graduated from a European Challenge Tour host, the past three years as the secondary tour’s season-ending Race to Oman event, to full tour status.

With Ryder Cup stars including Robert Karlsson, Andy Sullivan, Chris Wood and Stephen Gallagher, former Open Champions Paul Lawrie and Darren Clarke, 2016 Open de Espana winner Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston and 2017 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters champion Jeunghun Wang in the field for the Desert Swing event, the best Omani golf has to offer is set to be broadcast the a global audience in excess of 400 million.

“Five years ago we started an incredible journey through our relationship with the European Tour with a vision to one day host a European Tour golf tournament through which we can position Oman on the international stage,” said NBO chairperson Sayyida Rawan bint Ahmed Al Said.

“Now, today we are here and it is a very proud moment to inaugurate the NBO Oman Open as one of the highest-level golfing competitions globally, watched by millions of people around the world.

“To us, golf represents much more than just a game; it is a platform that brings us all together, and helps drive Oman forward by showcasing to the rest of the world the natural beauty and talent Oman has to offer.”

The post Watch Oman’s Minister of Sport hit a ceremonial tee shot ahead of the NBO Oman Open appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.