We also reflect on a successful first year for Viya Golf in Abu Dhabi with Cluster Club Manager Julian Danby, get to grips with the new TaylorMade wedges with Robbie Greenfield and look ahead to the third edition of the Golf Digest Middle East Oktoberfest at The Els Club in Dubai.

All this and much, much more in the October 2023 edition of Golf Digest Middle East available in both English and Arabic.

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.

See below for the eighth issue of the Arabic edition of Golf Digest Middle East.

If you want to look back at all our previous Arabic editions of Golf Digest Middle East, click here.

The post Get the October 2023 edition of Golf Digest Middle East FREE here in both English and Arabic today! appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Royal Greens serves up two memorable Saudi International treats to pave way to the future

History was made in Saudi Arabia in February as some of the best golfers in the world — male and female — descended on Royal Greens Golf & Country Club for two of the most fascinating and memorable golfing competitions in the Kingdom.

First up was the Asian Tour’s flagship PIF Saudi International, where Mexico’s Abraham Ancer warmed up for his LIV Golf homecoming at Mayakoba with a thrilling victory over American Cameron Young and Aussie Lucas Herbert in the Red Sea breeze, taking home $1 million for his troubles. It was one of the strongest fields ever assembled on Saudi shores, with the likes of Cameron Smith, Bubba Watson, Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Paul Casey, Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed all teeing it up. None of them could lay a glove on Ancer, however, who registered a wire-to-wire success to follow in the footsteps of Dustin Johnson, Graeme McDowell and Harold Varner III as champions.

The week in early February also saw a new dawn for golf in Saudi Arabia as Faisal Salhab and Saud Al Sharif were unveiled as the Kingdom’s latest professional golfers, joining Othman Almulla in the paid ranks and beginning their journey to inspire the next generation of young golfers. Both Faisal and Saud impressed in the Asian Tour’s first two International Series events, making the cut at Oman and Qatar respectively. 

With no time for the dust to settle after the men departed, the Ladies European Tour came to town just outside Jeddah, with no less than 13 major champions in tow as part of a field of 120 competing for the groundbreaking $5 million purse — the biggest prize outside the majors and equal to that of the men in the Saudi International. In Gee Chun, Anna Nordqvist, Lexi Thompson and defending champion Georgia Hall all fought it out with the likes of Ashleigh Buhai, Patty Tavatanakit, Hannah Green, Danielle Kang and Hyo-Joo Kim. But it was a dream return to action for world No. 1 and newly-wed Lydia Ko, who held off the sensational Aditi Ashok (win, third, second in her first three outings of the year) for her second success in the tournament and the $750,000 top prize. 

Ko gave credit to new hubby Jun Chung and a rigorous off-season that included eight (8!) rounds of golf during her 12-day honeymoon in native New Zealand for her ability to hit the ground running in her first competitive outing of 2023. It certainly looks like that devotion and dedication paid off big time. Hopefully Jun got a belated Valentine’s Day gift for his understanding! 

As we delve further into the year, eyes are beginning to look to September and the looming Solheim Cup date between Europe and America, and already things are beginning to take shape with familiar front-runners staking their claim for an automatic spot. 

When it comes to the captains’ picks, however, things are getting really tricky as old favourites such as Anna Nordqvist and Lizette Salas are struggling to find form, while emerging stars like Chiara Noja and Lilia Vu are throwing their hat into the ring.

How both captains would be wishing Ashok and Ko were in their ranks too. 

For all the stardust on show at Royal Greens, it is always refreshing to see the next generation thrive, and the likes of Noja, Vu and Albane Valenzuela grabbed the opportunity on the biggest of stages with both hands, with all three in the mix until Sunday and finishing in the top 15.

The Aramco Saudi Ladies International was about so much more than just the on-fairway action of course, with its groundbreaking prize money, on-site golf clinics and talks setting the foundations and framework for equality and parity throughout the game as more tournaments across the globe are set to follow suit and put up equal purses for men and women. 

During all the thrills and spills at King Abdullah Economic City, Golf Saudi also welcomed its new CEO, Noah Alireza, who was on hand at Royal Greens to oversee the trophy presentations to Ancer and Ko, and set out his vision for the future of the sport in the Kingdom, through mass participation programmes and increasing access to golf in the country.

While the moveable feast departs Saudi until November, that doesn’t mean the drama is done. Not by a long shot. 

The LIV Golf League 2023 is just getting into its stride following its curtain-raiser in Mexico — where the likes of new signings Mito Pereira and Thomas Pieters took their bows — with dates in Arizona and Florida coming up ahead of the highly anticipated bow on Australian shores at The Grange in Adelaide. 

Oh, and the Masters is just around the corner too, where former chums Mickelson and Tiger Woods will meet face-to-face at Augusta in what is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing majors in recent history. 

Watch this space…

The post Editor’s Letter: A fight to remember appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

American star Lexi Thompson is one of the most decorated, celebrated and well-travelled golfers in the game right now.

With 15 titles, nearly $14 million in the bank from LPGA earnings alone (she has also tasted victory on the Ladies European Tour in Dubai and New York over the past 12 years as a professional), the 28-year-old is still broadening her horizons.

Thompson arrived in Saudi Arabia for the first time ever last month after a short break in Dubai to take part in the loaded $5 million Aramco Saudi Ladies International at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, as she gears up for another crucial year.

And she nearly got off to a perfect start, coming up just short of the winner — world No. 1 Lydia Ko — in a tie for third, with a course record-equalling 63 to boot, all of which helped Thompson settle in nicely in the Middle East to start her 2023 campaign.

“I think it’s just a matter of feeling welcome,” she told Golf Digest Middle East. “The way everyone is made to feel welcome is great and the hospitality that I received is amazing. While it is my first time here, I have been in the Middle East quite a bit and I love Dubai. It’s one of the favourite spots that I’ve ever been to, let alone winning [the Dubai Ladies Masters at Emirates Golf Club in 2011]. Of course that’s a bonus.”

While only 28, Thompson has five Solheim Cups under her belt, including two triumphs, but Team USA has lost the last two iterations at Gleneagles in Scotland in 2019 and at Inverness Club, Ohio, in 2021. The ‘veteran’ is determined to get back on the team for this September’s event at Finca Cortesin in Spain, and wrest the trophy back from Team Europe.

“First of all, it’s such a high honour to be able to represent my country any time I can,” she said. “Whether it’s Solheim Cup, International Crown, or any team event, I want to be on that team representing my country.

“It’s been unfortunate the last two times that we’ve lost, but it happens. We did the best that we could. As I said, win or lose, representing your country is the highest honour, so hopefully we get that trophy back in Spain. I am really looking forward to going there.

Paul Severn

“All we can do is the best we can and bring our ‘A’ games, but I think the Solheim Cups bring a whole other level of people’s games. When you are flying your flag for your country or continent, you have that drive. You’re not only fighting for yourself out there, you have your partner next to you. You’re fighting for your country and representing it.

“It is such a unique experience, bringing out that other attitude of people, which is great to see.”

To say Thompson had an early start at the top level of the game is something of an understatement. She became the youngest golfer ever to qualify for the US Open at the age of 12 and was a professional by the time she was just 15, winning her first LPGA tournament as a 16-year-old in 2011, and breaking the record as the youngest Ladies European Tour event winner just three months later in Dubai. She also became the second youngest major winner at the Chevron Championship in 2014 at the age of 19. 

When asked the secret to staying at the elite end of the game for such a long time, the world No. 7 replied: “I think the key for me is taking the time off when needed, not really overdoing playing, skipping events that I feel like I need to.

“It is important to get the right amount of rest I need and make sure my game is in the right spot for the tournaments that I thoroughly enjoy and the golf courses that I really like and suit my game the best.

“Instead of just playing four, five weeks in a row and tiring myself out, I take the breaks when needed.

“I just finished my 12th year on tour, so it’s pretty unbelievable to think I just turned 28. It is a balancing act between taking the time for myself, living life and enjoying it, but at the same time, performing the best that I can when I do play.”

Obviously keeping fit during those breaks and in the off-season is also crucial?

“Yeah, of course,” Thompson said. “I worked extremely hard in the off-season, whether it’s training in the gym one, two times a day, but I’ve spent multiple hours each and every day in the practice facility working on the things that I needed to improve on and just keeping everything consistent.

“I had a good finish in my last two events last year [Pelican Women’s Championship and CME Group Tour Championship], so I am just trying to bring that into this year. Consistency has been key for me to keep things ticking along, so just keeping the things going that I’ve been working on and continuing to improve on them with my game and on the mental side as well.”

Following her T3 at Royal Greens, Thompson is confident her game is in the right place. 

“I had quite a long time off over the festive period, with quality time with my family and friends to get that relaxation, but at the same time, I trained harder than ever,” she said.

“I worked extremely hard on my game and fitness, and I am really just trying to keep everything intact, work on a few things in my game, and keep on improving.”

Paul Severn

It was a bit of a family affair in Saudi Arabia as Lexi’s brother Curtis was on her bag, another aspect that helped her relax in the challenging conditions.

“We just talk about the most random things or get deep into a conversation that just goes nowhere,” Lexi said about what the chat was with her sibling. “It’s amazing. He knows me so well and knows my game probably better than I do because we play together every day back home. I’m very lucky and blessed to have him out here.”

And as Thompson becomes one of the more seasoned pros, she has an eye on the legacy she will leave as the women’s game makes great strides towards equality, with boosts in prize money, improved facilities and more airtime on live television broadcasts.

“First of all, I think it’s amazing to see how the game is growing,” she said. “As an athlete, I just want to leave the game in a better place than it was when I first stepped in.

“To have role models and encourage girls to pick up the game at a young age, it’s important. It’s great to see girls thoroughly enjoy the game. Whether you make it professionally or not, it’s such an amazing game that you learn so much about yourself, your dedication, responsibility. Even if you’re not professional it’s great for business, because you don’t get the opportunity to spend multiple hours with business partners for that matter.

“I’ve learned so much about myself along the way, met some amazing people, so I always tell people, you should pick up the game. It’s one of the best out there. Could be frustrating, don’t get me wrong, but you will enjoy it so much, and just have fun with it and just be grateful for the opportunity that you can.”

The post Event Horizons: ‘Veteran’ Lexi Thompson firmly focused on the future following years of success appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

World No. 1 Lydia Ko came into the Aramco Saudi Ladies International unsure what to expect after an extended off-season that included getting married.

The world No. 1 got hitched to Jun Chung to sign off on a 2022 that saw her not only reclaim her spot at the top of the rankings but also pick up three LPGA Tour crowns, including the CME, which earned her the biggest winner’s cheque in women’s golf history: $2 million.

After that extended break and a honeymoon that included — by her own admission — “perhaps too much golf”, the New Zealander arrived at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club uncertain where her game was at in competitive circles.

She had nothing to worry about. 

Ko was returning to King Abdullah Economic City for the first time since her 2021 triumph in the Saudi Ladies International, and oozed class as she saw off a star-studded field to reclaim the crown.

A final-round 68 for a total of 21-under was enough to hold off the in-form India star Aditi Ashok, the likes of fast-charging Lexi Thompson and Manon De Roey, and dark horse Lilia Vu. 

In a topsy-turvy finish that saw the lead change hands a number of times, Ko eventually prevailed as valiant Vu faltered at the last and had to settle for a share of third alongside Belgium’s De Roey and American star Thompson on 19-under, one behind Ashok.

Along with becoming the first player to win the title twice, Ko also took home a record $750,000 from the $5 million prize fund.

Lydia Ko. LET

“I’m two for two on this golf course at Royal Greens, so clearly something is going for me,” Ko said. 

“I’m playing with the world’s best. The field this week was really good, so I knew it was going to be a challenge. And it was the first one of the year. That is really hard because you don’t have anything to base yourself off. You don’t know if you’re going to play well or bad.”

Ko made it career win No. 26 and is looking in great shape for another trophy-laden campaign in 2023. 

It certainly was a statement in her first event of the year as she came out on top in a field that included 13 major winners including In Gee Chun, Anna Nordqvist, Thompson and defending champion Georgia Hall.

“Hopefully I’m going to get some good momentum now,’ Ko said. “Every day is different, so I don’t think you can take anything for granted. I’m just going to stick to my process and keep working on the things I’ve been working on and enjoy it. Hopefully this is a light to a good start of the 2023 season.”

With the tournament prize fund hiked to a whopping $5 million this year — up from $1 million and now matching the men’s Saudi International — Ko is delighted the women are being given a level playing field in Saudi Arabia.

“I think this is the direction we’re trending in not only at this event, but all the events,” she said. “To have partners that support and believe in women’s golf and the talent that’s out here, it is just great to be a part of that and this history.

“Hopefully this is a continuous movement on the Ladies European Tour and the LPGA, and for other tours as well.

“As players, it’s just really cool to be part of that history. I hope this is something that’s going to continue to grow, because playing alongside the best female golfers, week in and week out… there are so many amazing women out here. I don’t think you realise until you come here and you see, wow, like look at all this talent.”

The post Lydia Ko underlines her status as the queen of golf by reclaiming Aramco Saudi Ladies International crown at Royal Greens appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

We also look ahead to the LIV Golf League season-opener in Mexico and catch up with Lydia Ko ahead of her trip to Royal Greens Golf & Country Club for the Saudi Ladies International. 

James Piot talks about how the LIV Golf opportunity was too big to pass up and we take you through 2023’s must-have drivers in Part One of our Hot List.

All this and much, much more in the February 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 February 2023 edition of Golf Digest Middle East FREE here today! appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Matt Smith
Only 12 short months ago, a Dubai-based 15-year-old school student took her first step into a brave new world in professional sport.

Last October, Chiara Noja took the decision to become a professional golfer and set out on the Ladies European Tour Access Series in her quest to secure the playing rights on the LET proper in 2023 that come with claiming one of the LETAS Order of Merit top-six spots.

Fast-forward one year and, following a hectic schedule that took her around the world, Chiara is back in Dubai and in schoolkid mode, preparing for her GCSEs — with her LET card in hand.

While cramming and recovering from weeks on the road, the German teenager has been juggling her career as a pro, and the demands that come with that, with another life as a student looking for the best grades in her exams. 

After what has been an exhausting 12 months, and with mock exams going on following her visit to Ferry Point to compete in the Aramco Team Series — New York event, Chiara still has one competition circled on her 2022 calendar: the ATS finale at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in Jeddah from November 10-12. 

“Has it been 12 months?” Chiara asks Golf Digest Middle East, having taken time out from her studying for a quick chat. “That’s right! It was almost exactly a year ago I turned pro,” she confirms.

“It has certainly been a very busy year. It has flown by. I have spent five-and-a-half action-packed months on the road in total, but it was worth it.

“Thankfully I got a win early on at the Amundi [Czech Ladies Challenge in June] and that set me up nicely in the Order of Merit and gave me the confidence to keep up the standards. 

“I was also competing on the Aramco Team Series events thanks to my Golf Saudi backing, so it was quite exhausting.

“The LETAS kept adding events, and I told myself this is a marathon, not a sprint, and took the decision to take a break and select the events I wanted to play in.”

With her card safe, Chiara opted to skip the final three events of the LETAS season, opting instead to concentrate on her studies and the Aramco events in New York and Jeddah instead, knowing it would mean missing out on top spot in the LETAS Order of Merit. 

“It was a very good decision to take a break,” she insists. “Sure, I finished second in the Order of Merit and could have won it if I continued to play, but I was playing my ‘C’ game and it was better to recharge. The No. 1 goal was achieving playing rights on the LET 2023. My card was safe so taking a break was the right thing to do. 

“Honestly, winning the Order of Merit would have been the cherry on top of a great season, but going into it we knew what the aim was and we achieved that.”

She adds with a chuckle: “It was a lovely season — exhausting, but lovely.”

Reflecting on all those weeks of competition, it is clear in Chiara’s mind what the highlight was.

“The Aramco events. Definitely,” she says. “I got to be the kid again playing with the big girls, and I learnt so much. To play alongside the Kordas (LPGA star sisters Nelly and Jessica) and Lexi (Thompson, the Aramco New York champ and world No. 7) was amazing and an honour. 

“I finished T-11 in New York and that showed me how far I had come. On caddie came up and asked me: ‘How do you keep your concentration?’ But I am just soaking it all up and hoping to improve each event. 

“That result in New York really gave me confidence I can compete with the LET players next season. I have no goals other than getting some top 20s and maybe a few top 10s but I have no worries about keeping my card.”

Now, here comes the tricky part — being a 16-year-old student and an LET pro at the same time.

“Like I said, I have no worries about my card, I will just need to balance preparing for my GCSEs and choosing when to play on Tour. 

“My grades would be better without the golf, for sure, and my golf would be better without the studying. But being a full-time student and a golfer has definitely made life more interesting!”

Looking ahead to her final bow of 2022, the Aramco Team Series — Jeddah, Chiara can’t wait to get going.

“Royal Greens is like a second home to me, really, as I have played the Saudi International twice and also on the ATS last year. It is a challenging course to play, due to the wind, but I know it quite well by now.”

One thing that Chiara is not looking forward to is the possibility of stifling humidity in Jeddah at this time of year. 

“The Saudi International is played early in the year and the weather has been perfect, but the ATS last year was roasting and exhausting. Hopefully the weather gets a bit cooler by the time we arrive.”

Those appearances in Jeddah and at other events around the globe have been in part thanks to the support Chiara has received from Golf Saudi, for whom she is now an Ambassador, alongside the likes of Emily Pedersen, Anna Nordqvist, Anne Van Dam, Bronte Law and Carlota Ciganda.

“Even before I turned pro, Golf Saudi gave me incredible support and believed in me,” Chiara explains. “They managed to get me into a number of tournaments, and without those events I would not be where I am or be as good a player as I am now.

“They have been so positive in helping grow the game and are very clear in that vision — helping grow the game in the Kingdom and also globally, while encouraging women to take up the sport.

“Also the money they have invested in the shape of purses for events such as the Aramcos and Saudi International … without these events, the Ladies European Tour would not be what it has now become. 

“Then there is the way you are treated at these events. You get pampered, properly looked after — be it the travel, the courses, hotels, food … you get a little spoilt at these events.” Again, there is that chuckle.

“It is great to see these developments, especially in the womens’ game,” she continues. “It is so nice to be shown respect as an athlete.”

Looking further ahead, once school is completed, Chiara is planning to play it a bit by ear. 

“I don’t know really,” she admits. “Maybe I will look into the online courses that some of the other girls have done to get degrees. I like to be stimulated, so I will wait and see what takes my fancy as we go along. But right now, golf is the No. 1 focus.”

The post Dubai-based 16-year-old Chiara Noja reflects on a stellar 12 months as a professional golfer ahead of the Aramco Team Series finale in Jeddah appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

And the 54-hole, no-cut, shotgun extravaganza is about to get a lot more ‘global’ as the world’s top stars head east for the final two main-season events in Thailand and Saudi Arabia.

First up to the stop at Stonehill outside Bangkok on October 7-9, before the inaugural series wraps up its individual season at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club near Jeddah from October 14-16. 

It doesn’t quite finish there as the Team Championship concludes at Trump National Doral Miami at the end of the month, but the priority right now is the race to the top in Jeddah. 

Smith’s stunning entrance to the fray has produced a T-4 in Boston and victory in Chicago from his two outings so far, already taking him to third spot in the league table on 56 points.

However, he still has plenty of work to do to catch runaway leader and Boston champ Dustin Johnson, who heads Branden Grace by 39 points with a total of 118 after five events.

The team event is also going in DJ’s favour as his 4 Aces (Johnson, Patrick Reed, Pat Perez, Talor Gooch) head the standings on 136 points, from Stinger (Louis Oosthuizen, Grace, Charl Schwartzel, Hennie du Plessis) on 72.

Stonehill Club

Thai for the lead

First up is Thailand. Big crowds are expected at  Stonehill, set on 340-acres in the Pathum Thani province outside Bangkok, where fans will cheer on local favourites such as Phachara Khongwatmai and Sadom Kaewkanjana, who will be up against some of the biggest names in golf, including the likes of Smith, DJ, Patrick Reed, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau. 

Then one short trip later, the cream of the golfing talent will line up one more time at Royal Greens in Saudi Arabia.

The Kingdom has stamped its place on the world golfing map thanks to massive infrastructure changes, the $5 million Saudi International tournament on the Asian Tour, the expanded International Series and significant investment in LIV Golf and the Ladies European Tour Aramco Team Series — which holds its next event in New York on October 13 before hosting its own finale in Jeddah in November. 

Royal Greens Golf & Country Club

Johnson is no stranger to success in Saudi Arabia, having twice won the Saudi International in 2019 and 2021 (he also finished runner-up in 2020), and he will be looking to extend his love affair with the region as he chases glory on two fronts in the LIV Golf individual and team standings. 

However, one man who has other plans is newcomer Smith, who made his debut in the series’ fourth event in Boston, and he is relishing the opportunity to get back to playing in Asia once again. 

Smith is no stranger to Royal Greens himself as he finished T4 at the Saudi International in February, four strokes behind champion and now fellow ‘LIV-er’ Harold Varner III.

Now, he is eager to get back in the swing and, hopefully, go even better on his return to the Saudi port city.

The Australian pocketed $4 million for his three-stroke victory in Chicago and he is looking to taste more success in Bangkok and Jeddah as he aims to reel in his good friends Grace and Johnson. 

“I think LIV Golf is fantastic, said the 29-year-old Smith. “That’s one of the reasons why I came over here is to play golf around the world.

“I think my time when I was a young professional over in Asia are some of the best times of my life. Travelling with good friends and playing really good tournaments was something I will never forget, and I’m really looking forward and really excited for what this series is going to bring to the golf world.”

Smith has been impressed with the new-look feel to the LIV Golf events, which create a party atmosphere on and off the course for players and fans. 

“It’s really cool,” Smith added. “It’s something that I’ve gotten used to over the last couple of weeks, and I can’t wait to keep this going. It’s unreal out there. I love the energy. Everyone is really engaged and everyone is really watching what you are doing. It’s awesome.

“I think the music out on the golf course and on the range is something that I really enjoy. I think everyone out there really enjoys it, as well. I feel like the fans are closer to you and they are probably a little bit louder on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, but I love it. The atmosphere is perfect.”

With Smith joining fellow champions Charl Schwartzel (London), Grace (Portland), Henrik Stenson (Bedminster) and Johnson (Boston) in the winners’ circle, the party is sure to continue in Thailand and Saudi Arabia.

SCHEDULE

June 9-11
Centurion Golf Club (London)
Champion: Charl Schwartzel

July 1-3
Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club (Portland)
Champion: Branden Grace

July 29-31
Trump National Golf Club Bedminster (New Jersey)
Champion: Henrik Stenson

September 2-4
The International (Boston)
Champion: Dustin Johnson

September 16-18
Rich Harvest Farms (Chicago)
Champion: Cameron Smith

October 7-9
Stonehill (Bangkok)

October 14-16
Royal Greens Golf Club (Jeddah)

October 28-30
Team Championship, Trump National Doral (Miami)

Individual Standings (Top 10)

1. Dustin Johnson: 118pts
2. Branden Grace: 79
3. Cameron Smith: 56
4. Charl Schwartzel: 55
5. Matthew Wolff: 50
6. Louis Oosthuizen: 49
T7. Peter Uilhein: 48
T7. Carlos Ortiz: 48
T7. Talor Gooch: 48
10. Patrick Reed: 46

Team Standings (Top 5)

1. 4 Aces: 136pts
2. Stinger: 72
3. Majesticks: 57
4. Crushers: 56
5. Fireballs: 37

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Rory open to LIV Golf ranking points — if they meet criteria
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Newton to play Dunhill pro-am
Reed withdraws from Dunhill links — thanks to dodgy bed
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The post Eastern Promise: Cameron Smith looks forward to return to action in Asia for LIV Golf season finale in Bangkok and Jeddah appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Enjoy an alternate history of Augusta National Golf Club in the latest edition of Golf Digest Middle East, plus a deep-dive on the most famous greens in golf and learn the secret to defending champion Hideki Matsuyama’s swing – and no, it’s not that pause at the top. Jim ‘Bones’ McKay explains why the first major of the year is the hardest event on caddies and Jim Nantz recalls Tiger’s epic 1997 victory.

Looking for a new fairway wood/hybrid? We have you covered in the latest instalment of Golf Digest’s 2022 Hot List. We also recap Georgia Hall’s runaway Aramco Saudi Ladies International victory and get a sneak peek of the Kingdom’s Safaa Golf Club, a place where golf and education happily co-exist.

All this and much more in the April 2022 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.

See below for the second issue of the Arabic edition of Golf Digest Middle East.

The post Get our special Masters preview edition of Golf Digest Middle East FREE here in both English and Arabic today! appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

After being congratulated on the final green by Solheim Cup team member and good friend Emily Kristine Pedersen, a clearly delighted Hall showed how much the win – her first on the Ladies European Tour since her only other Tour victory, the 2018 Women’s Open – meant. 

“It’s fantastic to win in March, so early in the season,” said the world #25. “I really love this place and love the golf course. I was fine after 18, and then Emily started crying, and it made me cry.  I was just really proud of the way I played today.”

Hall’s one-under-par round started with two birdies in the first three holes to extend her overnight lead to seven shots, from where she never really looked back.

“That was the plan in my head,” said the 25-year-old. “The front nine is a little bit easier, a little bit less wind than we’ve had, so I tried to take advantage and hit some really good shots on the front nine to get me further ahead, and that kind of settled me.”

Despite four bogeys – on five, 10, 15 and 16 – the chasing pack never got closer than four shots. Hall – a runner up at the Aramco Saudi Ladies International in 2020 – sealed things with a birdie three on 17, rolling in a 15-foot putt. 

She continued: “Even on 16, I thought it was a pretty good shot. It just didn’t come back. It was so tough. It was windier than yesterday, and 15, 16 can be very tricky, so I tried a few damage limitations there. Obviously really happy with the birdie on 17.

“To lead all week is very special. I think the first round really was very important for me. I played incredible that round. It really set me up for the rest of the week. Sometimes it’s not always easy with a five-shot lead into the last day, it’s a little bit more pressure on you, but I was really happy with the way I conducted myself today.”

Joint second place went to the former Czech Republic international footballer cum LET rookie Kristyna Napoleaova, and Johanna Gustavsson of Sweden. 

It was fairy tale stuff for 25-year-old Napoleaova, who was competing in only her second event as an LET professional, and who had shared the Day Two lead with Hall.

“To be honest, it’s kind of like a dream,” she said. “I didn’t expect even to get into the event. Golf Saudi provided me with an invite, which was incredible. What happened this week is like a fairy tale. It’s been an absolutely incredible week. I’m so grateful to have been here and can’t wait to come back again.”

Napoleaova picked up US$75,000, a cool $71,300 more than her maiden LET event. 

She said: “To be fair, I had no idea what the prize money is. I’m glad I didn’t look because then I would have been like slightly nervous on the last hole, which I was anyways, so better not to know!”

The best round of the day came from breakout US golf star Kelly Whaley, who set a new Ladies European Tour record with an incredible eight birdies in a row, to finish joint sixth. 

The 24-year-old went -8 from the fourth hole through 11, en route to equaling Royal Greens’ course-record 63.

It was the first time in history any player has bagged more than seven consecutive birdies in a regular-season LET event.

Whaley – who turned pro in 2019 and was competing in her first event outside the States – said: “It is the best round I’ve ever had in a tournament. My whole goal today was to just enjoy it and have fun, being my first international professional event. I’ve never had eight birdies in a row. That’s something memorable for anyone!

“Once I made about four or five, I said, ‘Okay, you’re in it now – you can’t stop!’. So, I just kept giving myself opportunities and it was a lot of fun. I think in these situations pressure can get to you, and it becomes almost daunting, but I really approached today trying to just enjoy every shot and find something about every hole that I loved, whether it be the view or just something else. It was just a really memorable day.” 

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The former British Open champion headed to the last set on banking what would have been a remarkable two-shot overnight advantage, accrued while enduring the strongest of Royal Greens Golf & Country Club’s infamous afternoon winds, which today reached a testing 40km/h.

However, a self-admitted “brave” attempt to reach the water-guarded closing green in two saw her land in the trap, leading to a double-bogey finish and a shared Day One lead at three-under-par.

Hall said: “It was tough out there. The conditions are the hardest conditions I’ve ever played in.

“I was very happy with the way I played in. I putted really well.  I holed some good putts for par, which is very crucial. I just really stayed patient. I’ve done the best I could and was really proud of the way I played.

“I tried to go for it [on 18]. I had a 6-iron and I wanted to give it a go but then obviously it made it tough from there.”

On the savage conditions, the 25-year-old added: “It was definitely a different golf course today. Hopefully tomorrow morning will be calmer. I would love for it to be maybe a one club wind instead of maybe five like it was today. But, yeah, we’ll take what we get!”

A run of three back-to-back birdies in her opening four holes saw the world No.25 get into her stride early, on a track where she holds the course record. One more birdie on the par-five ninth hole sent her out at four-under-par, before a battling one-over-par back nine as the winds picked up.

Playing in only her second event as an LET professional, 2022 rookie Sophie Witt, 20, showed no signs of nerves as she made the most of the calmer morning weather to card her 69.

Sophie Witt.

The German, who only earned her Tour card at the tail-end of last year, admitted that result was far better than she had anticipated.

She joked: “I told my mum this morning ‘Hopefully I don’t shoot a 90’, because the last three days I hit so many thin shots! I was a little bit lucky today because I made good and bad shots. I hit the fairways, and to be honest, when I hit the green, I made birdie. The most times I didn’t hit the fairway or the green, I’d then pitch and putt. The course was on my side today, and the greens were on my side too.

“Now I want to make the cut. Yeah, it’s my rookie season, [but I’ll just] have fun, enjoy it. I think I can learn so much from the good players in the field here and from my playing partners. To be honest, I’m a competition player and not a player on the range. I struggle on the range and I struggle on the course, but I can score good in competition.”

Americans Angel Yin and Lindsey Weaver-Wright sit one back on two-under-par, alongside 2022 AIG Women’s Open champion, Anna Nordqvist.

“I played great today,” said Nordqvist, world #15. “It was blowing so hard off the back – I’ve probably never played this course this windy, and it was a different wind. It was hard sometimes holding wedges on the greens and getting them close.”

She continued: “I’m happy with my game. It was a solid start. I didn’t feel like it was that easy out there today. I feel like I managed my game very well. It’s hard to stay in it for 18 holes out there. Every shot you’re flying into 30, 35km/h side winds out there.”

Angel Yin – a late entry to the field following defending champion Lydia Ko’s withdrawal after testing positive for Covid-19 – said: “It was a solid round. I started out rough. I don’t think I made a par until the fifth hole, but I made lots of birdies, saw a lot of opportunity, left a few out there. I’ll make some changes tomorrow. It’s good. It’s been solid.”

Shot of the day went to 23-year-old Charlotte Liautier of France, who aced the 144-yard par-three eighth hole in only her second tournament appearance as an LET professional.

Talking through it, Liautier explained: “It was very good – it was a good ball. I just hit my 8-iron and the ball carried the green and went in the hole five metres after. The wind actually helped the ball to go in the hole!”

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