Alireza, a former member of the Saudi Arabian national team who represented his country at the Asian Games, brings a wealth of experience in strategic advisory serving some of Saudi Arabia’s most influential entities within the public and private sectors, and he is a lifelong student of the game of golf and a graduate of Brown University, Rhode Island.

As he settles into his new role, Alireza’s remit is to activate and accelerate Golf Saudi’s mandate in creating and serving the growing demand for golf in Saudi Arabia, through mass participation programmes and increasing access to the sport in the country as part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 programme.

Golf Digest Middle East recently caught up with Alireza to get the lowdown on the man, the hard work and next steps for Golf Saudi

•••

First of all, how are you settling into the role?

Being Saudi as well as a passionate golfer, it is a privilege and an honour to wake up every morning to work on something you love. 

There’s a clear and exciting challenge that lies ahead, which is to convert the major strides already made when it comes to events into accelerating the build up of golf-related infrastructure within Saudi Arabia. 

The most exciting part is that, with Vision 2030, this is one of many streams that are happening in Saudi Arabia when it comes to sports activation, and we have the ability to synergise and leverage each other to achieve unique, original and impactful outcomes. This clarity and the potential impact sports can have on the social, economic, and environmental levels in Saudi Arabia makes this challenge worth devoting every working hour.

•••

How have you found these past two months, especially with the men’s and women’s Saudi Internationals? 

Staging back-to-back events like we have just witnessed are no easy feat, so it is to the credit of our amazing team that delivery of both was, once again, of the very highest standard. 

I have been fortunate enough to be part of these events as a Pro-Am guest in recent years so knew what to expect to an extent, but things are always very different looking from the inside. It is evident how much these tournaments stand as a showcase for the sport in Saudi Arabia. They serve as an opportunity to encourage a burgeoning domestic interest in the sport. Part of the challenge is to channel the outcome of these events from viewership into participation.

•••

There were many clinics and talks during the events, how do you see the growth of the game in Saudi Arabia? 

Despite the incredible progress to date, golf is still a young sport in Saudi Arabia. However, our focus is to have an accelerated growth trajectory. A combination of factors will be crucial to this and mainly revolve around striking the right balance between access and demand.

Ultimately, the courses in development here are the pinnacle for us, and we want as many people as possible to eventually become members of a thriving golf community. 

We also continue focusing on off-course and mobile facilities — such as driving ranges, simulators, and fun mini-golf experiences. 

All of this, and more, helps create a pathway, encouraging people to try the game and, hopefully, make them lifelong golfers. 

Saudi International

•••

What are the immediate and longer-term visions for golf in the Kingdom? 

The overall focus is to develop a thriving golf landscape here in Saudi Arabia, by allowing ease of access to anyone who wants to participate and benefit from the virtues of this game. 

The immediate challenge is turning the current awareness into active golfers and having the correct access points at all incomes and skill levels, from beginner to intermediate to national team to elite — and in the long term, to create new world champions, who in turn create new dreamers, to inspire and feed the cycle. We’ve recently seen this in the World Cup when Saudi Arabia beat Argentina — that was a generational moment that inspired a new wave of interest that will ultimately create future stars. Eventually, with the right balance of demand and supply, the golf industry will become self-sufficient, creating thousands of jobs and serving thousands of recreational players. 

•••

Besides getting players on courses, how are business and college programmes helping Saudis from all walks of life get on the career ladder?

In developing a thriving sector, we must concentrate on all components, and the professional expertise of a workforce in golf is critical. In areas such as golf instruction, facility management and hospitality we require highly skilled individuals who are looking to enjoy a career in this sport. Therefore, we have created partnerships with the likes of Club Managers Association of Europe (CMAE) and the National Training Centre for Facilities and Hospitality Management (FHM). 

Last year we launched our first Arabic Golf Education Training programme. Several individuals have now progressed from this and are moving into employment within our facilities, which is something we are all terrifically proud of. 

The plan is to continue to develop on these efforts and go further into developing other disciplines within the golf value chain such as agronomy. Our primary focus is to ensure that knowledge in these disciplines is transferred and eventually led by Saudis. 

•••

Othman Almulla was thrilled to welcome Saud and Faisal to the pro ranks at the Saudi International. What are your hopes for them and the inspiration they provide future generations? 

Celebrating the achievements of Othman, Faisal and Saud, three incredible ambassadors for both their sport and their country, will help us grow interest in golf here in the Kingdom. They have shown they can compete with the best on the Asian Tour, with Faisal and Saud both making cuts within their first two events after turning pro, so the future is looking bright. 

We will continue supporting them, celebrating their successes and bringing news of their achievements back to the youth in Saudi, who we hope will be inspired to follow in their footsteps. 

•••

Aramco Saudi Ladies International

We are also seeing massive growth in the region among women thanks to the likes of Chiara Noja winning ATS Jeddah last year and Ines Laklalech getting her first pro win in France, and then there was the flagship Ladies European Tour event — the Aramco Saudi Ladies International — offering equal prize money to the men of $5 million, attracting the likes of world No. 1 and winner Lydia Ko …

The ladies’ game is going from strength to strength, and that is supported by global participation figures which is amazing to see. Our support of events and players on the LET is helping to build this momentum, and we hope it continues to boost interest in golf back in Saudi Arabia among women.  

We know that having some of the stars in the women’s game visiting KSA was crucial in inspiring uptake in our Ladies First Club initiative in 2020 and we already have graduates from that initial programme participating as amateurs in Aramco Team Series events. 

Our aspiration is to have Saudi ladies play golf at an elite level and we will be giving full support in this endeavour.

•••

The ladies return for the Aramco Team Series, but in Riyadh rather than Royal Greens. Is this part of a plan to spread the events to a wider audience across the Kingdom? 

Absolutely it is, yes. Riyadh being the vibrant capital of Saudi Arabia already has three courses with other world-class facilities currently being built. Riyadh Golf Club, which is currently the closest to the city centre, is going through the necessary improvements to ensure that it is a real challenge for the world’s best players. Riyadh is where the majority of golfers in Saudi Arabia are, and we are excited to bring a professional golfing event to the capital city and continue to grow the game here and across the country.

After five years of events at Royal Greens, which will nevertheless remain a key host of other events in the future, everyone at Golf Saudi is very excited about hosting the ATS in Riyadh and we think the ladies are going to enjoy the challenge.

The post Speaking with … Noah Alireza: Golf Digest Middle East caught up with the new CEO of Golf Saudi 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.

Scott Vincent discusses how he is taking full advantage of the opportunities that came his way in 2022, while Saudi star Othman Almulla delights in welcoming his little ‘brothers’ Saul Al Sharif and Faisal Salhab to the professional ranks.

The Golf Digest Hot List also gets to grips with the best irons on offer this year.

All this and much, much more in the March 2023 edition of Golf Digest Middle East.

The issue is again free to our loyal audience. You can scroll through the ISSUU link provided here or download to your favourite device for later. Alternatively, pick up a copy at your favourite club. Whatever option you take, we hope you enjoy the read.

The post Get the March 2023 edition of Golf Digest Middle East FREE here today! appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The inaugural Aramco Invitational is the latest event to take place in Saudi Arabia, following the PIF Saudi Open in Riyadh last week. The best players on the Asian Development Tour, including Golf Saudi Ambassador Shergo Al Kurdi, order of merit leader Suteepat Prateeptienchai and last week’s winner, Naraajie E Ramadhanputra are all in contention heading in to the final day.

Almulla, who has played in several events across the world, including the Saudi International and recent tournaments on the Asian Tour’s International Series, is playing at his home club for the first time in a professional event. Having played the course for many years, Almulla’s experience and course knowledge will hopefully enable him to continue his brilliant play, and battle it out on the final day.

Saudi Arabia, and the global golf community have been following Almulla’s story over the past few years, and the excitement is building for the final round tomorrow. The Saudi International will be heading back to Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in February, and a top result for the golf community in Saudi, will offer great hope for the upcoming Asian Tour feature event.

The post Saudi Arabia’s Othman Almulla takes charge at Asian Development Tour’s Aramco Invitational at Rolling Hills appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Q: Following your success at the Trust Golf mixed event earlier this year, what does the future hold?
A: I’m hopeful to continue my good form until the end of the year, competing on the Asian Tour and Asian Development  Tour has been such a great learning experience for me, I’m optimistic and confident that these experiences will help me achieve my goals and put myself in position to compete at the highest level at the latter stages of events.

Q: Did you follow the boys at the Eisenhower Cup? How is the mood in the Saudi Arabia National Team camp?
A: I’m always keen to see how Saud (AlSharif) and Faisal (Salhab) are doing, they are both extremely talented and hard working,I know it’s only a matter of time till I see them both competing in Asia with me as professional golfers. I think the mood in the National Team camp is really positive and optimistic. I think we can all see how strong the support for the game of golf has been from Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation, the platform we’ve been provided is incredible, and soon we will see not just one professional golfer from Saudi but three who can inspire the next generation of boys and girls to aspire to do the same.

Q: How do you feel the ongoing investments from Golf Saudi are helping the game?
A: If you look at the events that have come to Saudi Arabia in the last few years, we have had the highest levels of the game competing for prestigious prizes in both the women’s and men’s game, and with the Saudi Open this year becoming an Asian Development Tour event, the lower levels of the professional game are also feeling the support of Golf Saudi. The leadership of Golf Saudi, led by Yasir Al-Rumayyan and Majed Al Surour, is very ambitious and the game of golf will be the biggest winner I believe.

Q: Are you a fan of the team events we are seeing more of now?
A: I’m a big fan, some of my best memories have been in team events competing on my college golf team, and with Saud and Faisal on the national team representing Saudi Arabia. I firmly believe that the team aspect in golf can provide a super exciting flavour to all the events that embrace that.

Q: Golf Saudi is also getting involved with promotions such as its Mass Participation Days. What are your hopes for the next generation?
A: I think the mass participation projects can be super exciting, obviously golf is a new sport in Saudi Arabia, and to see the excitement in the country with the events that have happened, and some of the school projects that have been launched, I think we’re going to have a big boom very soon, and the numbers are drastically going to rise. I remember when I started playing golf at 15 I was one of only a handful of golfers in the country under the age of 25 and to see the numbers of boys and girls trying golf and falling in love with the game every single day now is truly a dream come true, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for golf in the Kingdom and in Asia.

See More: Chatting with the Golf Saudi CEO

The post Speaking with Othman Almulla, the first Saudi professional golfer appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The Asian Tour event has already confirmed some big names for its first event in the UK, including Order of Merit leader Sihwan Kim, 2021 No. 1 Joohyung Kim, 2010 US Open champion Graeme McDowell and Thai superkid Ratchanon  Chantananuwat.

The $2 million tournament has now confirmed the Saudi trio as part of the line-up after they played their part in helping Saudi Arabia win the 40th edition of the Arab Golf Championship. It will be a second appearance on the Asian Tour for all three following their participation in the Saudi International in February.

“I’m excited to be competing in the International Series event being held at Slaley Hall,” Almulla said. “To have these opportunities to compete on the world stage against some of the best players in the world is a privilege I cherish. I’m lucky to have the support and guidance of Golf Saudi to help me succeed in my professional golfing career.”

Salhab added: “I’m proud to be competing against some of the best golfers in the world, participating in such tournaments will only make my game better.

“Golf Saudi has done an amazing job in growing the game of golf within the Kingdom and being in this tournament reflects their massive support for us as players. Representing my country internationally means a lot to me and I hope I can do it in the best way.”

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The post Saudi Arabia players Othman Almulla, Faisal Salhab and Saud Al-Sharif set for International Series England 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.

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

The 35-year-old MENA Tour regular visited Riyadh’s Tarbiyah Namouthajiyah School in December with the Saudi International trophy and turned teacher as part of Golf Saudi’s push to introduce children to the game. Other star players will tag in at other schools in the countdown to the Asian Tour’s new $5 million flagship event from Feb. 3-6.

“I hope to see a new generation of both male and female golfers representing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia across the globe,” said Almulla who led SNAG (‘Starting New At Golf’) lessons.

“We had a great opportunity today to share insights about golf, and particularly the important role that the Saudi International plays in promoting the sport in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This is just the first step in many big steps coming to tell the community about the sport that I love.

“I think the sport of golf is unique because it gives you an experience to test yourself every day. It teaches you patience, perseverance in tough conditions and resilience. While most sports do that as well, the tests that you see on the course are very similar to the ones these students have to get past in life.”

The innovative and globally accepted SNAG certification programme includes all the basics of golf, helping beginners build skills. It can be played both indoors and outdoors, ensuring anyone can learn, play, and teach golf – alongside the sport’s core values.  

Golf Saudi is spearheading one of the world’s most progressive golf development strategies, with its Mass Participation programme forming the cornerstone of this strategy. The programme remains a top priority for the organisation as it seeks to attract and inspire the next generation of Saudis to take up the game and develop future homegrown champions. Ahead of 2025, Golf Saudi has targeted the creation of 2,200 jobs and developing approximately 29,000 new golfers.

“Our goal is always to bring golf to as many Saudis as possible,” said Golf Saudi CEO Majed Al Sorour.

“We want to give young people an opportunity to develop skills and highlight golf’s unique values that can aid their development – both in future careers and their everyday lives. Excitement is building towards our biggest ever Saudi International that will continue to impact the golfing landscape here and inspire more nationals than ever to engage in this amazing sport.”

The post Golf Saudi target schools in dual mission to grow game and raise awareness of Saudi International appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
The weekend. In professional golf, it’s when the bills get paid, an invisible mark in the calendar that leads to unimaginable riches and potential superstardom or the continued fret of how to pay the mortgage. For Saudi’s pioneering professional Othman Almulla and leading amateur Saud Al Sharif, making the cut at the Saudi International isn’t nearly as critical but the desire to become the first homegrown player to reach the weekend is deeply personal and hugely motivating.

“We are very fortunate to have such a high-profile event in our country and I feel very honoured to be representing Saudi Arabia in a field of such high-quality global golfers,” said Al Sharif.

“This will be my third time playing and each year I gain such invaluable insight into what it takes to be a top golfer.”

RELATED: 3rd Saudi International Preview

With a field headlined by world No.1 Dustin Johnson and the likes of Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Reed, Tony Finau and Phil Mickelson, not to mention all the European Ryder Cup stars, making the cut at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club is even more difficult than most European Tour events.

Both Almulla and Al Sharif both have a mountain to climb on the evidence of their previous records in King Abdullah Economic City. Almulla carded rounds of 80-81 in 2019 when Johnson won the inaugural title and 75-75 last year when Graeme McDowell reignited his career. Al Sharif also knows the hurdle confronting him after finishing 130th out of 132 players in each of the past two years with rounds of 79-80 in 2019 and 82-73 last year. But there is no lack of effort to reach the summit of his own personal Everest.

“I hope that all the work I have been putting into my game since last year pays off and I can make everyone proud by becoming the first player from the Kingdom to make the cut.”

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The post Saudi International: Home grown goals appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Ahead of the 2021 Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisers, Saudi Arabia National Team coach Jamie McConnell gives exclusive insight into the preparations and form of the three leading Saudi Arabian players competing at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in the $5.3 million European Tour event from Thursday.

Saud Al Sharif

Form
“Saud played the most competitive golf in 2020 out of the three before the first lockdown hit. He won the Amateur prize in Bahrain on the MENA Tour, shooting a phenomenal 66 and also got into a playoff later on in the year in the Bahrain Amateur. It’s been really difficult coaching wise for all the National Team with the restrictions so I’ve been coaching him via Zoom and FaceTime remotely – sending video and training plans to keep him improving and on track. Last week he arrived in Dubai to do a tournament prep week with us and we linked him up with a new caddie, Luke Joy. We pushed him hard to see how we would react and he did brilliantly.  I am excited to see what he does in the tournament.

Strengths
“Ball and distance control is phenomenal. Solid ball striker.”

RELATED: Othman Almulla and Saud Al Sharif will again proudly fly the Saudi flag at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club

Faisal Salhab

Form
Faisal’s had a really interesting year as has been stuck in Saudi Arabia and been unable to travel and play. We got him a good golf coach from Abu Dhabi called Grant Smith, who joined the Saudi team in Riyadh. Grant’s really inspired him to work harder, practise harder and focus. His invite was quite last minute and he was really working towards 2022 – but we were delighted with the news of his inclusion and he’s really ramped up his preparation since. He’s been at Royal Greens well in advance of the tournament, preparing and building strong momentum for a good showing.

Strengths
Without a doubt, it’s his power. Has a huge amount of swing speed and if he can keep it in play, he will make it a very short golf course indeed.

MORE: How the 3rd Saudi International has already met its remit

Othman Almulla 

Form
“Othman remains the only professional player still in the Kingdom. Like the other guys, he has been working remotely for the year. He went back to Saudi Arabia before the last lockdown and has stayed there since. The last couple of months he has been working hard to make a couple of swing changes which seem to be settling in just in time ahead of this week where his preparation has been really solid. He seems really excited for his career going forward and where he might take his game. Hopefully, this week will give him some momentum for a good year which will pay off in the long run as far for things likes the MENA Tour– it’s an exciting time for him.”

Strengths
An ability to get the ball ‘around’ the course, plays the conditions well and can make a score. He’s very steady and not much phases him out there.

The Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers starts on Thursday with all the action broadcast live on KSA Sports.

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The post All you need to know about the three locals teeing it up in this week’s Saudi International appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.