AR
By Kent Gray
Just as Rome wasn’t built in a day, the rise of Saudi Arabia’s elite golfing stocks is a predictable slow burner. But thanks largely to Faisal Salhab, the embers have burned a little brighter since November.
The 25-year-old has risen to No. 70 in the official World Amateur Golf Rankings on the back of victories at the 6th Saudi Open and 40th Pan Arab Championships in Cairo.
Salhab’s victory in the individual standings at Dreamland Golf Resort in Egypt also spearheaded Saudi Arabia to just its second teams gold medal– by a whopping eight strokes over Qatar.
The victory at the Saudi Open, which included a course record 66 around Riyadh Golf Club, earned Salhab an invite to the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers. Though he missed the cut by six strokes after rounds of 75-75, the experience gained teeing it up in a field including the likes of Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Bubba Watson and eventual champion Harold Varner III cannot be underestimated.
It was Salhab’s third Asian Tour start in as many months and he has been the leading Saudi amateur at each stop: 113th at the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship and T109th at both the Laguna Phuket Championship and the Saudi International.
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A stroke average of 74.83 in his six Asian Tour rounds thus far is a benchmark to work with, just as the eye-catching performances of Ratchanon Chantananuwat are something to aspire to. The Thai 14-year-old amateur has impressively made the cut in all five of his Asian Tour starts thus far, including both Phuket events and the Saudi International where he finished T71.
Salhab is grateful to Golf Saudi for the opportunities to learn at the highest level.
“This is all thanks to the continuous support us National Team players receive, whether that’s from the Saudi Golf Federation or Golf Saudi, their backing enhances our chances of performing to the best of our abilities.”
Saud Al Sharif is up to 371st in the WAGR chiefly on the back of his Jordan Open victory late last year. Al Sharif went on to finish 141st, 130th and 115th at Blue Canyon, Laguna Phuket and Royal Greens respectively.
Jamie McConnell, the Director of Instruction at the Claude Harmon Performance Academy Dubai, coaches Al Sharif and is pleased with the progress of the entire Saudi national team.
“The team have been working exceptionally hard over the last few months with some fantastic results including three victories from Saud and Faisal which was fantastic to see, and more than earned through their hard work and dedication,” said McConnell.
“I think this year the biggest help has been the schedule that they have been able to play. Mixing a full summer of amateur events with some more recent Asian Tour events allows them to really feel what it is like to play, travel and adapt to different scenarios, climates and courses. This is a huge part of learning to compete at the highest level and I must compliment Golf Saudi on not only backing them to play in these events, but also opening the doors required to do so.”
“The next few months will involve a sit-down review of what we have been through and achieved over the last few months, while also reflecting on what needs to be improved before what will be a hectic period in the late spring and through the summer.”
The Kingdom’s leading amateurs have pushed Saudi’s pioneering professional Othman Almulla all winter long with the world’s 1697th ranked player recording 113th, 126th and T100 finishes at the two Phuket events and the Saudi International respectively.
Like the amateurs, Almulla continues to work tirelessly towards his dream and posted a poignant message during the Saudi International entitled “keep going”.
“It will take time; it will take pain; it will break you down and force you to become stronger. But everything you are going through right now will take you to places you could have never imagined. Have faith in your journey and trust in yourself because one day, you will get there. – Walk the Earth.”
