Set along the stunning coastline of Muscat, Al Mouj Golf offers one of the most scenic and unique golfing experiences in the Middle East.

Al Mouj Golf in Muscat, Oman

Designed by former World Number One golfer Greg Norman, this award-winning, 18-hole championship links course stretches along two kilometres of pristine Gulf of Oman shoreline, combining natural beauty with a challenging yet enjoyable layout for players of all levels.

Known for its immaculate conditioning and dramatic sea views, the course blends traditional links-style play with modern design, featuring rolling fairways, strategic bunkering, and coastal winds that add an exciting dimension to every round.

Sami Välimäki – 2020 Oman Open Champion

Al Mouj Golf has also hosted prestigious international events, on the DP World Tour and Asian Tour, further cementing its position on the global golfing stage.

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Main Image: Courtesy by the club

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The Gross Division saw Lynn Casey continue her steady form, securing victory with a solid gross 79. Her composed round ensured another well-deserved win, along with a night’s stay, including breakfast at JW Marriott.

Roger Byrne – Nett Winner

In the Net Division, Roger Byrne delivered an outstanding performance, carding a superb net 65 to claim top honours. His consistent play throughout the round earned him a night’s stay with breakfast at JW Marriott.

Al Mouj Golf to raise the bar with new clubhouse and sports facilities

Gross Division

Winner | Lynn Casey | 79 Gross | Night’s stay inclusive of breakfast at JW Marriott

Runner-up | Navaid Ahmed | 80 Gross | Dinner for two at JW Marriott

Net Division

Winner | Roger Byrne | 65 Net | Night’s stay inclusive of breakfast at JW Marriott

Runner-up | Hisham Al Alawi | 69 Net | Dinner for two at JW Marriott

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Abhishek edged out runner-up Kiran Kumar by two points, who finished with 40 points.

RELATED: Al Mouj Golf to raise the bar with new clubhouse and sports facilities

Europcar September Individual Stableford at Al Mouj – Kiran Kumar

The event brought together a strong field of competitors, showcasing excellent skill and sportsmanship across the challenging Greg Norman-designed course in Muscat, Oman.

Kalla’s consistent play and strategic approach proved decisive, earning him top honours in this popular monthly stableford competition.

The event highlighted Al Mouj’s reputation as a premier golfing destination in the region.

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UAE Ladies and Junior Teams Shine at the 2024 GCC Golf Championships in Oman

Hosted by the Oman Golf Association, the tournament brought together top talent from five GCC countries, with 45 players competing across various divisions. The Ladies’ and Junior GCC Golf Tournament featured three categories, showcasing the skill of both team and individual players in the Ladies’ and Boys’ divisions, with age categories for 16 and under, and 13 and under, respectively.

Ladies’ Division:

The UAE Ladies National Team, captained by Lara El Chaib, successfully defended their 2023 title, claiming the Team Gold Medal. Individually, Lara El Chaib took the Gold, Intissar Rich won Silver, and Faye Al Blooshi secured Bronze.

Girls U16 Division:

The Girls U16 Team also claimed the Team Gold Medal, with Anca Mateiu winning the Individual Gold Medal and Sara Ali Abubaker finishing as the Silver Medallist.

Boys U16 Division:

In the Boys U16 Team event, Mohammed Thabet, Tariq Khoory, and Abdulla Darwish earned the Team Bronze Medal. Mohammed Thabet led the individual charge, finishing 4th overall.

Boys U13 Division:

Representing the UAE in the Boys U13 Division was Zayed Ali Abubaker, a promising talent from the UAE National Junior Development Programme – Future Falcons. This was Zayed’s first international competition, where he finished in 5th place.

The successful conclusion of the GCC Golf Championships marks a fitting end to a strong year for the Emirates Golf Federation.

Main Image: Emirates Golf Federation

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These strategic appointments see Scott McCaw join as General Manager, Ryan Smith as Golf Operations Manager, and Mahmood Al Zadjali take up the post of Associate Manager of Sales and Marketing, all based at the stunning coastal club in Muscat, Oman.

Al Mouj Golf in Muscat, Oman

The trio bring almost 50 years of professional knowledge in golf and their specialist fields, underscoring Al Mouj Golf’s commitment to delivering world-class experiences to its members and guests, furthering its reputation on the world stage.

McCaw, who will play a crucial role in the ongoing successes of Al Mouj Golf, joins the organisation with over 15 years of experience in managing Troon Golf facilities, including The Grange Golf Club in Australia and two Troon facilities in the neighbouring United Arab Emirates.

“Joining Al Mouj Golf, one of the most prestigious golf destinations in the Middle East, is an amazing opportunity,” said Scott McCaw, the newly appointed General Manager.

“I’m thrilled to work with such a talented team to build on the success here and provide outstanding experiences for our members and guests. The aim is to elevate Al Mouj Golf’s reputation even further, making it a leading destination in the across the world.”

Ryan Smith, originally from South Africa, takes up the role of Golf Operations Manager, having amassed 14 years of experience at Troon Golf facilities in Dubai, The Montgomerie Golf Club Dubai and more recently Arabian Ranches Golf Club. Smith brings extensive operational expertise and a passion for golf to Al Mouj, looking to deliver unforgettable experiences for all golfers.

Mahmood Al Zadjali, an Omani native, has been named Associate Manager of Sales and Marketing. With eight years of experience in the media industry, Mahmood’s strong background in sales, marketing, and creative strategy will be key in driving Al Mouj Golf’s marketing efforts and strengthening community ties.

DJ Flanders, Executive Vice President of Troon International

“These key appointments reflect Al Mouj Golf’s ongoing dedication to excellence and its vision to further solidify its position as a leading golf destination in the region,” said DJ Flanders, Executive Vice President of Troon International, the international division of the world’s largest golf and golf-related hospitality management company, Troon.

“The combined global expertise and local knowledge of Scott, Ryan, and Mahmood, are set to drive the next phase of growth, promising the type of wonderful experience expected at both Al Mouj Golf and a Troon Golf facility.”

Main Image: Al Mouj Golf

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The International Series is renowned for providing a pathway for golfers from all round the world onto the LIV Golf League. The set of 10 elevated events on the Asian Tour also offer a real platform for emerging local talent to gain valuable experience and develop, in each of the territories visited over the course of the season.

At International Series Oman, local amateurs Azzan Al Rumhy and Ahmed Al Wahaibi were in the field this week alongside the Saudi quartet of Othman Almulla, Saud Al Sharif, Faisal Salhab and Khalid Walid Attieh.

All four Saudi Arabian nationals in the field this week are now out on the course here at #InternationalSeries Oman

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— Golf Digest ME (@GolfDigestME) February 22, 2024

Promising Dubai-based youngster Joshua Grenville-Wood also started with Jordanian-English Shergo Al Khurdi and the Moroccan duo of Ayoub Lguirati and Ayoub Id-Omar.

Joshua Grenville-Wood (left) alongside his coach Jamie from The Els Club, Dubai – Harry Grimshaw

The home hopes and talented regional players had the chance to rub shoulders with the top names on the Asian Tour, and global golf superstars including Joaquin Niemann, who received a special invite to this year’s first Major, the Masters at Augusta National, just before the first round in Oman.

Other heavyweights in the field include major winners Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen, and LIV Golf League stars such as Fireballs GC youngster David Puig, the winner on the Asian Tour last week at the IRS Prima Malaysian Open.

Azzan, who also competed in the event last year, said: “I am delighted that we are hosting this interesting event in our home, Oman, I can’t be happier and prouder than this. This event had given me the chance to meet with local and international colleagues from the same field. I am looking forward to be involved in such event locally and internationally.

Azzan Al Rumhy – Harry Grimshaw

“Also, hosting The International Series in Oman is significant in elevating the golf reputation among Omanis.”

Al Wahaibi, who is making his debut this year, added: “These events are very important for the Omani sport in general and golf in particular. The International Series shows how Oman can host world-class events, and also gives us the opportunity to practice and play with international golfers from around the world.”

Al Mulla, who has competed in all events on two seasons of The International Series, hopes the involvement of local and regional golfers can help raise the profile of the sport in Oman and further afield.

He said: “Golf is not a very common sport in the region. But International Series Oman, and other regional events on The International Series will help to raise the profile of the sport by bringing the very best in the world here. For golf fans and local players alike it is a wonderful opportunity.

“It is a chance for fans to watch the very best at the top of their game, and it is an opportunity for aspiring local players to learn from the very best, whether on the driving range or practice areas, or by playing alongside them.”

The International Series Oman started on Thursday 22 February and runs to Sunday 25 February at Al Mouj Golf. It is the opening event on The International Series and the second event on the Asian Tour calendar.

Main Image: Asian Tour

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On Sunday, the Spaniard won the IRS Prima Malaysian Open which was the season-opener on the Asian Tour and he now has the lead in the first International Series event of 2024 after shooting a seven-under-par 65, which matched the course record.

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His playing partner and fellow LIV Golf player, Joaquin Niemann from Chile, carded a 66 to sit in solo second, while his close friend and compatriot Mito Pereira is next best placed with a 67, along with Mexico’s Carlos Ortiz, Australian Kevin Yuan and Manav Shah from the United States.

This marks Puig’s third successive bogey-free round in the low 60s – he fired back-to-back 62s to win in Malaysia for his second Tour title – and yet the 22-year-old Arizona-based golfer is taking it all in his stride.

“I think this is my form,” he said.

“I improved a lot off the tee and it’s showing now for sure, and my short game has usually been my strength. I feel the last two rounds last week and today’s round have actually been pretty average in terms of that’s where I want to be, but I can do better.

“Obviously, the scores are good. I have had three bogey-free rounds in a row. Which is crazy but I practice for that.”

He birdied four on the bounce from the fifth and made three other birdies.

He added: “We had a good game with Taichi (Kho) and Joaquin, obviously. We helped each other to keep playing better. So it was great fun and the dynamic was good. Joaquin started a little better than me with that eagle on three but I kind of bounced back. We were pretty far under par for seven, eight holes which obviously helps but it was great fun.”

 

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Puig won the International Series Singapore last year for his maiden victory in the pro game and appears to be getting stronger and more confident week after week.

Niemann started today’s round having just learned he has been invited to play in The Masters in April, and that amazing news was clearly reflected in his performance.

He was also bogey-free and made an eagle, and four birdies.

He said: “It was a great day. I started off pretty good, with a birdie and then eagle on three. I kept hitting it well until the end of the round. I think my putter went a little bit off on the back nine but yes it was a good round but could have been better.

“It’s a good course, I like playing here. You have to hit different shots off the tee and to the green you must be a little bit creative with the wind, so it was fun, especially with David who was playing great. We had a good time, especially the way we were playing.”

Like Puig, the Torque GC captain has been one of the game’s in-form players. He shot a stunning 59 on his way to a thrilling play-off victory at the season-opening LIV Golf Mayakoba event in February, and triumphed in the Australian Open, also in extra-time back in December.

Niemann tied for fifth here last year, and Pereira, one of his Torque GC team-mates, also performed well, claiming joint 11th place. Both are clearly happy to be back on a course that was voted by the Asian Tour membership as the best course of the year, along with the Hong Kong Golf Club.

Said the 28-year-old Pereira, from Santiago: “Tee to green was pretty solid, I made some good putts and missed a couple, but was really solid overall. I didn’t make many mistakes, it was great to get it going today.

“I had some good second shots, a really good one on one, almost made it on two. I played here last year, the course is great, at the moment there is less wind than last year, but we’ll see.”

Last year he and Niemann triumphed on four occasions with Torque GC, although Pereira admits he has yet to get going this season after two LIV Golf events in Mayakoba and Las Vegas.

“I haven’t started the year too well so far, but I will try to do my best to improve and win this year,” he said.

“I love playing in these events. Every time I come here the events are growing. I’m really happy to be here. I will play a couple more this year.”

He started on the back nine, making the turn in one under but then put the pedal to the metal on the second half, making birdie on four out of the first five holes.

Defending champion Takumi Kanaya from Japan fired a 70 and is tied for 26th.

Image: Asian Tour

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Voted the Players’ Choice Course of the Year by the Asian Tour golfers last year, Al Mouj has a big fan in Joaquin Niemann.

Invigorated by his Masters invite, and having already shot a stunning 59 this season on his way to victory at LIV Golf Mayakoba, the Chilean should be considered among the favourites for the season-opener on The International Series.

Hear the best bits from the players before the first round gets underway here in Oman

Follow and visit https://t.co/6VFDIumEW8 for more content #InternationalSeries #Oman @asiantourgolf @Louis57TM @PuigCorrius @joaconiemann pic.twitter.com/pxxgiM7c5O

— Golf Digest ME (@GolfDigestME) February 21, 2024

The Torque GC captain likes the course so much, he has brought his entire team to play as they prepare for LIV Golf Jeddah in Saudi next week.

Niemann said: “I played here last year and I loved it, it was a good challenge. The course was in great condition which is the same as this year.

 

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“It’s nice to be here as it gives us the ideal preparation for what’s coming up on the LIV season and for next week (LIV Golf Jeddah). So yes, it’s the perfect preparation to play on a course that looks so great and gives us such a test.”

Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa pictured during the Pro-am event on Wednesday 21 February 2024 ahead of the International Series Oman – Asian Tour

Louis Oosthuizen, the Stinger GC captain, missed the cut in last season’s event, but the South African still loves the iconic Al Mouj Golf, and is looking forward to the challenge. The 2010 Open champion, who has picked up two wins this season on the DP World Tour, said: “It’s probably in the best shape out of a lot of golf courses we play during the year.

“I played with the superintendent today (in the pro-am) and I like it when greens are nice and firm and they are running a good speed. I played it last year and I played it poorly, but I love the golf course and it was my reason for coming back.

“It is in even better shape than last year and I think it’s tricky. Even with the windy conditions, we will definitely see some good scores. I just wanted to come back to this golf course because I really enjoy it and it’s a good event to play before the next two that we’ve got coming up (Jeddah and Hong Kong) – it’s just a pity that Joaquin likes it as well!”

 

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The International Series provides an important pathway to budding golfers from the host destinations and surrounding regions, and Azzan Al Rumhy is one of two promising Omani amateurs set to play this weekend, alongside Ahmed Al Wahaibi.

He’s relishing the prospect of playing alongside some of the biggest names in golf, and he said: “We’re very fortunate as Arab golfers to get these opportunities, even though we’re amateurs, to get to play amongst the best players in the world. It means a lot to us, and it prepares us for other regional tournaments that we compete in.”

Playing alongside the LIV stars are the cream of the Asian Tour and The International Series. Defending champion Takumi Kanaya will be joined by seven more winners from The International Series 2023.

In form David Puig is one of the game’s undoubted rising stars. The 2023 International Series Singapore champion showed some great early-season form by winning the Asian Tour-opening IRS Prima Malaysian Open last weekend to claim a place in The Open Championship at Royal Troon this year.

The Fireballs GC golfer said: “I’m very motivated for this week, and for the upcoming weeks. The win last week in Malaysia was very special. I flew there right after LIV Golf Las Vegas just to get that Open spot, and I’m glad that it worked out.”

How about that for a backdrop??#InternationalSeries Oman is off and running @AlmoujGolfOman @asiantourgolf

@aaronjwilkin Justin Quiban @swingingfarmer pic.twitter.com/u4LXDWXnks

— Golf Digest ME (@GolfDigestME) February 22, 2024

The International Series Oman starts today, 22 February, and runs through to Sunday 25 February at Al Mouj Golf. It is the opening event on The International Series and the second event on the Asian Tour calendar.

The International Series is a set of 10 elevated tournaments on the Asian Tour that provide a merit-based, open pathway for golfers from all over the world onto the LIV Golf League.

Images: Asian Tour / International Series

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In what was a week of many firsts at the inaugural International Series Oman for the Japanese star he recorded a fine four-shot win, for his maiden professional victory overseas.

It also marked the first time that an International Series event had been won by a player from Japan, and surprisingly he became the first golfer from his country to win an Asian Tour event outside of Japan since Tetsuji Hiratsuka claimed the Black Mountain Masters in 2010.

The 25-year-old from Hiroshima, said: “In 2023, I lined up against some of the best players in the world and proved that I could win. This year I want to do exactly the same. Defending my title will not be easy against this strong field, but I know I have what it takes on a truly challenging course.”

A veritable feast of phenomenal players are competing in what is the first of 10 International Series events this season, at what is the second top of the year on the Asian Tour, following last week’s IRS Prima Malaysian Open.

Last week’s champion David Puig from Spain, and his compatriot Eugenio Chacarra, South Africans Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel, Chileans Joaquin Niemanna and Mito Pereira, plus India’s Anirban Lahiri are just a few of the glittering names from the LIV Golf League playing along with a plethora of Asian Tour stars like Filipino Miguel Tabuena, Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho and Jazz Janewattananond from Thailand.

Kanaya, world ranked 129, has been paired in one of the marquee groups along with two other standouts Denwit Boriboonsub from Thailand and Australian Lucas Herbert – who is making his debut on The International Series.

The stunning scenic coastline of Al Mouj Golf provided the perfect background for some brilliant front-running golf by Kanaya last season.

“It is an honour to win the event, an International Series tournament,” said Kanaya at the time, after what was his first success since April of 2021 when he won the Token Homemate Cup, on the Japan Tour.

It was arguably the most important win of his career. He turned professional in 2020 after a glittering amateur career that saw him win the 2015 Japan Amateur, the Asia Pacific Amateur in 2018, and the team gold medal at the Asian Games that year. He also won the Mitsui Sumitomo Visa Taiheiyo Masters in 2019 as an amateur and was ranked the world’s number one amateur for 55 weeks. In 2020 he was victorious in the Dunlop Phoenix tournament.

Last year was only his third start as a professional in an Asian Tour event, and it was his maiden appearance in an International Series tournament.

And it proved to be the catalyst for more silverware, as later in the year he triumphed twice in Japan, at the BMW Japan Golf Tour Championship Mori Building Cup and the Fujisankei Classic. He eventually finished the season third on the Japan rankings.

Since his success last year, still no Japanese player has won on the Asian Tour nor The International Series. Furthermore, no player has successfully defended an International Series event, so on a course that he loves and respects so much – and was voted by his peers on the Asian Tour as the joint-best course of the year – there is an excellent window of opportunity to make waves on the coastline of Oman once more.

Image: Paul Lakatos/ Asian Tour

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Torque GC’s South American stars Joaquin Niemann, Sebastian Munoz, Mito Pereira and Carlos Ortiz have all been confirmed in a star-studded field along with Stinger GC’s South African quartet of Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, Branden Grace and Dean Burmester on the testing Al Mouj Golf from 22-25 February.

International Series Oman is the first of 10 elevated events on the Asian Tour calendar which offer bigger purses, world-class destinations and an open pathway to the LIV Golf League for players from all over the world.

Like several events on The International Series schedule this season, it also offers something invaluable for the stars of the LIV Golf League – aside from the prize money.

The first date of the 2024 season takes place a week before the LIV Golf Jeddah event at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, offering the perfect opportunity for a team tune-up and world ranking points.

In-form Niemann, the team captain at Torque GC and winner of the season-opening LIV Golf Mayakoba event in Mexico, has a number of reasons for wanting to compete at Al Mouj Golf, where he finished T5 last season behind Japanese star Takumi Kanaya.

The Chilean, who shot a stunning 59 on his way to victory in Mexico, and also won the ISPS Handa Australian Open earlier in the season, said: “The International Series events are big for me right now. It will be a lot of help to play good there, get some points, and try to get into the Majors.

“The events are great. They run like first-class tournaments, and they are always at really nice venues and great golf courses. I can only say great things about those tournaments. I’ve played in two or three of them, and it’s been unbelievable. Each one of them.

“It will be nice to have the whole team playing on The International Series. I think as a team, we’re not only obviously competing together during the LIV Golf season, but we’re going to try to play almost every tournament we can together.

“With all The International Series, we’re going to try to fly together. It will be nice to be playing against each other at Oman for the first tournament, we’re looking forward to it. Hopefully, we get a nice Sunday where we’re going to all play together. It’ll be cool,” added the Chilean.

Mexican team-mate Ortiz added: “It’s great, we’ve always been a team, we always like to play the same events and went to the same places together, so it just makes sense continuing the season there.”

LIV Golf

Stinger GC skipper Oosthuizen explained the thinking behind the decision to enter the whole team this year. The 2010 Open champion said: “We’re excited because after that we have got LIV Golf Jeddah and Hong Kong, so we decided to do a whole trip. We can warm up in Oman, but also I played there last year and I loved the golf course. It is a good track and a good way to start the international ‘swing’ for us.

“You can definitely work out a good schedule to play before the LIV events, to play yourself into a little bit of form. I think those are very important to have, those one or two extra events just to get ready for the season.”

2011 Masters champion Schwartzel agreed with the assessment. “Oman’s a great place, I went there last year, so I managed to convince everybody to come and join. We are really excited about playing in The International Series.

“Some guys can get away with playing very little golf, while some guys really need to play in tournaments. I am one of those guys – I like to get tournament fit, so playing an event like International Series Oman before a LIV event, definitely helps me get fine-tuned.”

Burmester, who finished T3 in LIV Golf’s season opener in Mexico at the start of February added: “It’s special. We spoke about it when the schedule came out and all of us were excited to go back to Al Mouj and Oman, it’s a great golf course.

“We’re always really, really well looked after there, so we’re excited to head there and to have all four of us. Hopefully, one of us can compete or lift the trophy.”

The 34-year-old is keen to add further dates on The International Series into his diary, as he explained: “Last year I played back-to-back events in Scotland and England, and this year, I am looking to widen my horizon and see where they fit into the schedule.

“We’ve got some exciting places, Morocco, and Macau, we’ve got so many beautiful places to go and play those events and then come back to LIV Golf sharp and ready to compete.”

Main image: Torque GC members  Sebastian Munoz, Mito Pereira, team captain Joaquin Niemann and Carlos Ortiz. LIV Golf

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