Golf Saudi partners with Five Iron Golf, announces multiple locations in Saudi Arabia

Developed in partnership with Golf Saudi, Five Iron Riyadh features structured programming, including Five Iron’s indoor golf league, along with beginner clinics, women’s programming and junior instruction. Beyond golf, the venue includes a full-service bar and kitchen and flexible event spaces.

Noah Alireza, CEO of Golf Saudi & Jared Solomon, Co-Founder and CEO of Five Iron Golf

“I have been deeply impressed by both the pace of development and the scale of the vision for the future of golf in Saudi Arabia,” said Jared Solomon, co-founder and CEO of Five Iron Golf. “What Golf Saudi is building is extraordinarily ambitious, and I believe it represents one of the most exciting growth opportunities in global golf today. We are seeing a fundamental shift in golf, where growth is no longer driven solely by elite competition, but by building the infrastructure and access points that bring more people into the game. Five Iron Riyadh is designed to be a part of that foundation, helping put clubs in people’s hands, creating new pathways into the sport, and supporting long-term participation.”

The Riyadh opening marks the first step in a broader multi-unit partnership between Five Iron Golf and Golf Saudi, with additional locations expected to open.

“Five Iron is an important addition to the golf ecosystem we are building in Saudi Arabia,” said Thomas Rudy, chief investment officer of Golf Saudi. “We are making significant, long-term investments to grow the game at every level, from grassroots participation to elite competition, with a clear focus on building one of the most dynamic and accessible golf ecosystems in the world. That means creating new formats, expanding access, and introducing modern, year-round ways for people to engage with the sport. As we continue to invest in the future of golf across the Kingdom, our focus is not only on developing world-class championship venues, but on building the infrastructure and participation base that will define the next era of the game. Five Iron’s model, combining technology, hospitality, instruction, and community, plays an important role in that vision.”

Founded in New York City in 2017 and backed by North Castle Partners, Callaway Golf, and Danny Meyer’s Enlightened Hospitality Investments, Five Iron Golf has 40 locations across 20 states and 6 countries.

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The Am Green IGPL Morocco Rising Stars 2026 will initiate what will be an exciting stretch of tournaments in the North African nation and will be played from 28-31 May. It will be jointly sanctioned by the Asian Development Tour (ADT) and the IGPL.

The following week the US$500,000 Bharath Classic will tee-off from 4-7 June and will be sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the IGPL. Last year during the maiden season of the exciting new Indian franchise the event was played in Ahmedabad, but the event now moves to a new home in Casablanca to optimise player movements.

Victory in 2024 in Morocco was Ben Campbell’s second in The International Series. Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

The International Series Morocco will then conclude an exciting three-week swing at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam (Red Course) from 11-14 June.

“This is an exciting development for both the Asian Tour and Asian Development Tour,” said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO, Asian Tour.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer our members three successive weeks of playing opportunities in Morocco, where golf continues to make such great progress through the leadership of the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation and Hassan II Golf Trophy Association.

“It is the result of our emerging relationship with the IGPL, whom we know are working hard to help grow the game in India and beyond through new initiatives. We thank IGPL for adding a new event for the ADT as well as the flexibly in rescheduling and relocating the Bharath Classic for us on the Asian Tour.”

The top two players not otherwise exempt who finish in the top 10 at the Am Green IGPL Morocco Rising Stars 2026 will earn invites to the Bharath Classic – which was won last year by Thailand’s Poosit Supupramai.

Aidric Chan – Morocco Rising Stars Marrakesh – Asian Development Tour

The ADT tournament will offer a prize money of the US $160,000 and builds on the Tour’s maiden visit to Morocco last year for two Morocco Rising Stars Marrakech tournaments, won by Aidric Chan and Carl Jano Corpus from the Philippines.

RELATED: LIV Golf creates pathway for Indian Golf Premier League

The announcement follows soon after The International Series and the IGPL unveiled a new collaboration that will see India’s top-ranked players from the League gain access to the Series and the LIV Golf Promotions event.

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New Zealander Ryan Fox fronts this month’s issue and opens up on the journey behind one of the most recognisable swings in professional golf. It may not be textbook, but it has delivered 19 professional wins, including two on the PGA Tour and four on the DP World Tour. Foxy breaks down how he found confidence in his own move and why embracing what works for you can be far more powerful than chasing perfection.

We look back on a whirlwind stretch in the UAE that saw both the Dubai Invitational at Dubai Creek and the Hero Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club take centre stage, it was very much another reminder of why the Dubai Desert Classic continues to earn its reputation as the Major of the Middle East.

Away from the ropes, our exclusive interview with Ronan Keating offers a different perspective on the game. Now a Dubai resident, the Irish pop icon explains why golf has become an even bigger part of his life, from competitive rounds with friends to what the game gives him away from the stage.

Instruction takes a front seat this month too. Liv Jackson from Five Iron Golf Dubai shows how to shape shots with purpose, Travis Fulton explains how one simple adjustment can add real distance off the tee, and Mark Blackburn challenges the idea that a one-piece takeaway is always the right move.

We also kick off Part 1 of our annual Hot List equipment coverage, starting with the latest drivers hitting the market and the models worth your attention as the season gets underway.

All this and plenty more in the February 2026 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 it to your favourite device for later. Alternatively, pick up a copy at your favourite golf club. Whatever option you take, we hope you enjoy the read.

The post Get your FREE February 2026 edition of Golf Digest Middle East here! appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Achieving this requires more than just hosting high-profile tournaments—you have to invest in infrastructure, grassroots programs, and opportunities for new Saudi nationals to learn, compete, and stay engaged with the game. And the Kingdom is very much doing that.

Mark Runnacles / LET

Golf Saudi’s efforts are to integrate the sport into local communities, schools, and youth programs across the country.

Central to participation growth is their “Go Golf” program. The initiative offers 12 free lessons for any Saudi national, introducing beginners to the fundamentals of the game in a structured, supportive environment. Participants will then earn a digital golf passport upon completing the lessons, providing discounts on equipment, memberships, green fees, and even restaurants—all designed to encourage long-term engagement.

Infrastructure growth is just as important. Currently, Saudi Arabia has seven publicly accessible golf courses, but Golf Saudi plans to increase that number to more than 20 within the next five years. Driving ranges will be introduced across all 13 regions, and multi-purpose, Topgolf-style venues are planned for Riyadh, Jeddah, and the Eastern Province. In addition, the partnership with Five Iron Golf will bring cutting-edge indoor golf facilities to Riyadh starting in early 2026, blending simulation technology, hospitality, and instruction to attract beginners, families, and casual players.

Golf Saudi

For example, courses like the new Wadi Safar Golf Course, designed by Greg Norman, combine world-class infrastructure with sustainable operations. These types of venues will serve both professional competitions and community programs, offering golfers a place to learn and grow while also positioning Saudi Arabia as a global golf destination.

High-profile tournaments also play a role in inspiring participation. Events in the past 12 months include LIV Golf Riyadh, the PIF Saudi Ladies International, and the Saudi Open presented by PIF all showcase elite talent while giving Saudis a chance to experience world-class golf firsthand. Attendance figures highlight the growing interest that there is in the Kingdom. More than 72,000 people registered for the 2025 Saudi International, a dramatic increase from just 8,000 the previous year across the four tournament days.

Golf Saudi

The tournaments staged by Golf Saudi are integrated with weighty initiatives like Riyadh Season and entertainment events, combining sport with tourism, hospitality, and business. Showing that golf is a driving economic growth, thanks to partnerships with entities such as the Public Investment Fund and Riyadh Season.

Golf Saudi has focused a vast amount of its time on creating pathways for local talent. Programs for juniors, women, and emerging professionals provide coaching, competitive opportunities, and mentorship from Golf Saudi ambassadors, including both global stars and Saudi Arabian professionals like Othman Almulla, Saud Al Sharif, Faisal Salhab, Khalid Attieh, and Shergo Al Kurdi. This combination of elite access and grassroots development ensures that the sport is inclusive and that talent can be on display at every level.

The Kingdom’s development efforts are also complemented by regional initiatives. The Arab Golf Federation (AGF) launched the Arab Golf Series (AGS), a unified schedule of tournaments across 17 member nations, complete with an official ranking system for amateur and professional players.

Five Iron Golf

This now provides a clear pathway for emerging Arab golfing talent, enabling them to measure themselves against the best in the region and gain international exposure. By participating in AGS events, local players can track progress, earn ranking points, and qualify for higher-level competitions, creating a structured ecosystem that bridges grassroots development and elite performance across the Arab world.

Looking into the crystal ball for 2026, the Kingdom’s strategy is to further nurture and grow the sport through infrastructure, community programs, elite competition, and national initiatives like Go Golf. The combination of world-class venues, strategic partnerships, and structured development programs is designed to ensure that golf is not only played but embraced as part of Saudi Arabia’s cultural and sporting fabric.

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That commitment was reflected clearly this past season, with over 20 Arab players earning spots in the 2025 Saudi Open, a US$1 million event on the Asian Tour, offering them valuable experience at a world-class level.

2025 Saudi Amateur Open

The progress on display began well before tournament week. The Saudi Amateur Open again showed how Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation are building a complete structure that gives emerging players the opportunities they need.

The event sits within the Arab Golf Series, sanctioned by the Arab Golf Federation, and awards official regional ranking points. Those points carry real weight as they raise a player’s standing and strengthen their chances of qualifying for stronger fields across the region and beyond.

Othman Almulla – Saudi Open

The 2025 Saudi Open highlighted the speed at which the sport is evolving in the Arab world and Saudi Arabia’s influence as a host of international golf.

This year’s field brought together standout players from Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, joined by a strong Saudi lineup that included professionals Othman Almulla, Saud Al Sharif, Faisal Salhab, Khalid Attieh and Shergo Al Kurdi.

A promising group of Saudi amateurs also competed, highlighting the work underway and reinforcing the wider effort to create an integrated ecosystem that prepares Arab players for the professional stage.

Adam Bresnu – Saudi Open

Al Kurdi and Moroccan amateur Bresnu were amongst five regional competitors to make the cut alongside the UAE’s Joshua Grenville-Wood, Qatar’s Daniil Sokolov and El Mehdi Fakori, also of Morocco.

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A new year begins the only way it should in this part of the world, with elite golf front and centre in Dubai. As the calendar turns, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic once again sets the tone for the season, bringing the global game back to one of its most iconic stages.

Rory McIlroy returns to Emirates Golf Club as World Number Two, marking 20 years since he first teed it up here as a teenage amateur in 2006. He leads a world-class field that includes Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry and the very best of the DP World Tour, all chasing early momentum on the Majlis course.

Dubai resident and former champion Rafa Cabrera Bello walks us through three of the Majlis’ defining holes, sharing the decisions that matter most when the pressure is on. Alongside him, Emirates Golf Club Senior Teaching Professional Tom Ogilvie breaks those same holes down from an amateur’s perspective, offering practical advice you can take straight to the course.

Ryan Fox is making his 10th start in Dubai and reflects on a tournament that helped shape his career, as well as his long-standing involvement with Arena, giving him a rare behind-the-scenes view of what it takes to deliver one of the Tour’s flagship weeks.

Elsewhere in the region, we look ahead to the Dubai Invitational at Dubai Creek Resort, where course upgrades and firmer greens are set to provide a fresh challenge. We look back at the transformation of Bahrain’s Riffa Golf Club to what it is today as the Royal Golf Club, while 14-year-old Qatari talent Daniil Sokolov prepares for his third appearance at the Qatar Masters.

Saudi Arabia continues to grow its presence in the game too, with Qiddiya City set to host the Faldo Series, led by Sir Nick Faldo, plus all the latest updates from the Arab Golf Federation.

Beyond the Middle East, we dive into golf’s coolest records, revisit Walter Hagen’s famous 54-hole journey along England’s south coast, and take a look inside Bud Cauley’s bag. As always, there are tips and insights throughout the issue designed to help you play better golf straight away.

From all of us at Golf Digest Middle East, we wish you a happy, healthy and inspiring start to 2026.

You can scroll through the ISSUU link provided below or download it to your favourite device for later.

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Ending the season on a high

Bjorn Hellgren secures his maiden Asian Tour title at the Saudi Open presented by PIF! #SaudiOpen #TimeToRise pic.twitter.com/MAaXNwNLPn

— Asian Tour (@asiantourgolf) December 13, 2025

Having played together in the same group all week, Hellgren edged it by a shot after closing with a five-under-par 67 to finish on 23-under.

Thompson, tied with Hellgren at the start of the day, shot a 68 in the season-ending event on the Asian Tour.

The Swede led by one playing the par-five 18th, where Thompson just missed his eagle putt from 30 feet. He made four meaning Hellgren needed to draw on all his experience to hole his birdie putt from six feet, which he duly did – for his maiden victory on the Asian Tour.

Malaysia’s Ervin Chang and Charles Porter from the United States tied for third three behind Thompson. Chang shot a 68 to complete a remarkable week that saw him move from 75th to 41st on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, which sees the top-65 keep their cards for next year. Porter, a graduate from this year’s Qualifying School, closed with a 69.

The other big winner today was Japan’s Kazuki Higa who wrapped up the Asian Tour Order of Merit title. He closed with a 68 to finish seventh, to ensure he ended comfortably ahead of Scott Vincent from Zimbabwe in second place. Vincent tied for 15th following a 68, having needed to win or finish second today in order to topple Higa. The diminutive Japanese star becomes the first player from his country to claim the prestigious Merit title.

Victory for Hellgren atones for what has been a testing few seasons playing on the Asian Tour.

He arrived in Asia in 2020 with an impressive resume that included multiple wins in Scandinavia as an amateur and professional. He’d also roomed with American Brooks Koepka when playing college golf at Florida State University.

He finishing tied ninth at Qualifying School in 2020 but only competed in one event before play was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When play resumed on Tour he did not quite make the impression that was expected of him, with his best result tying for third in the 2022 Yeangder TPC.

Even before this week he admitted to being exhausted after a long stretch on tour and behaving badly on and off the course. He said a holiday with his family in Spain over the past few weeks helped kept him get back on track and that was most definitely the case this week.

“Super happy,” said the winner.

“I mean, finally. I’m not gonna say I was doubting myself, but I’ve been leading tournaments before in this past five years, and never got it done before. I couldn’t have done it without Graham, my caddie. He kept me calm and present for especially today. So, I’m very proud of myself, my team, and especially my family that keep pushing me.”

The duo were tied at the turn before Thompson missed a short putt on the 10th to hand the lead to his Swedish opponent. Hellgren then had a lucky break on the next hole, a par four. After finding trouble of the tee he had to lay up with his second, before his third, which was going long, hit the pin leaving him a seven footer for par. He made it to stay ahead.

He then stiffed his approach to within a foot on the following hole for birdie which gave him a two-shot lead after Thompson missed his birdie from 10 feet. A birdie on 17 by Thompson closed the gap to one before a play-off was narrowly avoided on the last.

Added Hellgren, who finished sixth on the Merit list: “We had an amazing four days. I mean, his (Thompson’s) caddy is a good friend of mine who stayed with me this week, Adrian. I’m really happy for Jack also, because he had a good week, kept his job and I said when we were signing scorecards, I couldn’t have done it without him. And I was pretty sure if he made that putt on 18, mine would have been way longer. So yeah, very fortunate to play with him.”

Hellgren becomes the eighth Swede to win on the Asian Tour since 2004 and the first since Malcolm Kokocinski won the AB Bank Bangladesh Open in 2018.

Second hole-in-one today This time from Moroccan amateur Adam Bresnu

Absolute scenes out there! #SaudiOpen #TimeToRise pic.twitter.com/SQF5UV87Ke

— Asian Tour (@asiantourgolf) December 13, 2025

A delighted Adam Bresnu, who is still an amateur player, couldn’t hide his emotion at the end of his day after recording a hole-in-one. He said “My advice to the next generation is to believe in yourself. If you think you have the potential to turn pro and play against these players, believe it. High-level golf is tough, especially mentally, and sometimes you think you don’t have the talent, but in the end, you do. Just keep working, the grind is the best thing for you.”

Saudi Arabia’s Shergo Al Kurdi, who ended the tournament three-under-par said “Not an amazing day unfortunately. Played good golf but couldn’t capitalise. The same story as in the last 4 days really, couldn’t read the greens, but my game is in a good spot.”

Noah Alireza, CEO of Golf Saudi, said “Congratulations to Bjorn Hellgren on a well-deserved victory, and to Morocco’s Adam Bresnu for his outstanding performance and recognition as the Leading Arab Golfer. Supporting and empowering Arab talent remains a key pillar of Golf Saudi’s long-term vision.

“Through a clear and sustained strategy, Golf Saudi continues to invest in infrastructure, player development, and international partnerships, reinforcing the Kingdom’s ambition to become a global hub for golf and an inspiring destination for the world’s leading players.”

As the driving force behind the Kingdom’s long-term golf vision, Golf Saudi remains firmly committed to transforming the sport both locally and regionally by building a fully integrated ecosystem that nurtures talent, empowers Arab players, and elevates the Kingdom’s presence on the global golfing stage. Guided by its long-term strategy, Golf Saudi is developing a sustainable professional environment through world-class infrastructure, advanced training and education programs, and competitive pathways that enable both amateur and professional players to progress and achieve their full potential. This commitment reinforces Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to become a global hub for golf and a premier destination for the world’s leading players.

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Jack Thompson

Thompson carded a seven-under-par 65 to take a one-shot lead at the season-ending event, at Dirab Golf & Country Club – just outside the capital Riyadh.

Swede Bjorn Hellgren, playing in the same group, also fired a 65, to sit in second place while Malaysia’s Ervin Chang (64), and Runchanapong Youprayong (66) from Thailand are another stroke back.

Thompson started the week in 62nd place on the Tour’s Order of Merit (OOM), with the top-65 keeping their cards next year. He is comfortably on course to make it through with a win predicted to catapult him into seventh place.

However, there remains a long way to go and the 28-year-old from Adelaide, chasing his first win on the Asian Tour, is not getting ahead of himself. He said “I mean, it’s fun to be up the top and playing because sometimes if you just make the cut or whatever, you know, obviously you’re happy to play four rounds. But sometimes it can be pointless, make a birdie, and might move you up a couple spots. But it’s always fun to play when it means something. So, yeah, very lucky.”

Japan’s Kazuki Higa, the Asian Tour Order of Merit leader, took a huge stride forward to finishing the year ranked number one by shooting a 66 to sit five back of the leader, in joint ninth. It means Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent, in second place on the Merit list and five under for the tournament after a 69 today, when he played with Higa, needs to either win the tournament or finish second to overtake the Japanese star.

Saudi Arabia’s Shergo Al Kurdi produced a one-under-par round to move to four under for the tournament and secure his place for the weekend. He said “I felt like I had it a lot better today. I did a little bit of work last night, just a little bit on the scoring. I still need to work on my approach game, a little bit on proximity. I might change the plan on a couple of holes. It is just a couple of funky tee shots where I need to build a better plan regarding the wind. But I am in a good position. I just need to stick to the plan and take good shots.”

Adam Bresnu

Meanwhile, Moroccan Adam Bresnu signed for a round of 72 to stay at six under par overall, keeping himself well positioned heading into the final two days of the Saudi Open presented by PIF. He said “Today was a little bit tough for me. It was not like yesterday, but in golf it is never the same, that is the beauty of it. I had seven pars and missed four birdie chances inside nine feet, so it was hard, but I stayed patient. The course was in great condition but really tough. I still have two rounds to go, and I am glad I made the cut. We will see.”

As the driving force behind the Kingdom’s long-term golf vision, Golf Saudi remains firmly committed to transforming the sport both locally and regionally by building a fully integrated ecosystem that nurtures talent, empowers Arab players, and elevates the Kingdom’s presence on the global golfing stage. Guided by its long-term strategy, Golf Saudi is developing a sustainable professional environment through world-class infrastructure, advanced training and education programs, and competitive pathways that enable both amateur and professional players to progress and achieve their full potential. This commitment reinforces Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to become a global hub for golf and a premier destination for the world’s leading players.

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Despite still being an amateur, Bresnu exemplified the Arab Golf Federation’s vision of creating clear pathways for Arab talent to reach the highest levels of the professional game.

Through its partnership with the Arab Golf Federation, Golf Saudi is expanding high-level opportunities for amateur and professional Arab players, ensuring the next Adam Bresnu or Shergo Al Kurdi have the environment, support, and world-class events required to reach their full potential. Bresnu’s impressive performance is a strong reflection of the competitive opportunities provided by the Arab Golf Federation, which continue to elevate Arab players onto major international stages. The Saudi Open — one of the region’s most important championships — remains a central platform in driving this progress.

Speaking about his round, Bresnu said: “The conditions were really good. What I liked most about the course was how firm the greens and fairways were. The greens are excellent, and I’m really happy to be here.”

Looking ahead, he added: “I’ll keep the same mindset. Patience is the main goal. It’s a four-round tournament — day by day, shot by shot. My goal is simply to enjoy playing.”

Bresnu’s impressive performance is a strong reflection of the competitive opportunities provided by the Arab Golf Federation, which continue to elevate Arab players onto major international stages. The Saudi Open, one of the region’s most important championships, remains a central platform in driving this progress.

India’s Saptak Talwar opened the first day of the 2025 Saudi Open, sanctioned by the Asian Tour and hosted at Riyadh Golf Club, with an exceptional performance, setting a new course record of 64 (-8) after finishing his round with a birdie on the final hole in fading light at Dirab Golf & Country Club.

The 26-year-old from Delhi, who has competed in only a handful of Asian Tour events since turning professional in 2021, delivered a flawless round that included four birdies on each nine, placing him at the top of the leaderboard with confidence from the very start.

In second place are American John Catlin, the defending champion and reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, and Australia’s Jack Thompson, both carding 65 to close out the season-ending event on the Asian Tour.

The Saudi contingent are still in contention as they progress into day two, having played with commitment and professionalism, drawing on significant home support and reinforcing the nation’s long-term investment in developing world-class golf talent.

Saudi player Shergo Al Kurdi spoke proudly about competing in the Kingdom: “Representing the Kingdom is amazing, the crowd support is definitely a big one. In general just being in Saudi, I always enjoy my time here and just want to perform the best I can. It’s a good place to have a nice week.”

He also praised the national investment in player development: “The amount of support Saudi gives to their players is absolutely fantastic and it’s what golfers need to get into a higher level of golf. It is what is needed and they are prepared to do it. It’s very good what they’re doing.”

Day one of the Saudi Open 2025 reaffirmed the tournament’s role as a competitive stage not only for Asian Tour professionals but for emerging Arab golfers pursuing a pathway to the sport’s summit.

As the championship moves into day two, all eyes remain on Bresnu, a young talent proving that the region’s next generation is ready to challenge at the very top.

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The event underscores the rapid development of golf across the region and Saudi Arabia’s growing role as a host of major international competitions.

Morocco’s Adam Bresnu

This year’s championship welcomes a strong contingent of leading Arab players from Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, alongside a powerful Saudi Arabian presence comprising both professionals and amateurs. Five of Saudi Arabia’s top professionals and Golf Saudi ambassadors will compete: Othman Almulla, Saud Al Sharif, Faisal Salhab, Khalid Attieh, and Shergo Al Kurdi, in addition to a group of Saudi amateurs, including Abdulhakim Alnajran, Khalid Al Qunai’bit, Ali Babtain, and His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Saud Al Faisal. Together, they form a prominent national representation facing an elite field of international players at the Asian Tour’s season-ending event.

With a prize fund of US $1 million, the Saudi Open presented by PIF offers a highly competitive platform and a valuable opportunity for Arab and Saudi players to showcase their development, gain international exposure and strengthen their presence in the global game.

Dirab Golf and Country Club

The field reflects different stages of the national pathway, from established professionals to emerging amateur talent. This year marks the first time the season finale has been hosted at Dirab Golf Club, one of the Kingdom’s established courses.

The venue’s setting showcases the quality and natural landscape of courses across Saudi Arabia, and the selection of Saudi players demonstrates the progress of development programmes delivered by Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation.

Each player has engaged with national development structures and international competitive opportunities created over recent years. Their presence also aligns with Golf Saudi’s commitment to building an integrated golf ecosystem that supports competitiveness.

 

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Othman Almulla, Saudi Arabia’s first professional golfer, will bring leadership and experience to the national line-up. Almulla has been part of the national golf programme for more than a decade and is one of the most experienced Saudi players in international competition. His presence at Dirab underlines the connection between the earliest phase of Saudi golf development and the new generation now coming through.

Faisal Salhab and Khalid Attieh continue to progress as part of the new generation of Saudi professionals, gaining competitive exposure through regional and international events. Both players have come through the national pathway and now compete regularly against leading fields in the region. Their participation at Dirab highlights how Saudi professionals are beginning to convert development opportunities into sustained careers in the game.

Faisal Salhab and Saud Al Sharif

Saud Al Sharif remains a core member of Saudi national teams and continues to build his experience across a range of events. He is part of the group of players expected to contribute to Saudi Arabia’s competitiveness in regional golf over the coming years.

Emerging amateur Abdulhakim Alnajran and professional player Shergo Al Kurdi are among the Saudi players competing this year. Alnajran’s inclusion reflects the opportunity for promising amateurs to test themselves in a high-performance environment, while Al Kurdi represents the growing pool of talent now training and competing year-round in the Kingdom.

Media were welcomed to Dirab Golf and Country Club for a preview day that introduced the national players and offered an early look at the course. Journalists met the Saudi players, observed practice sessions and received briefings on the national pathway delivered by Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation. The visit included a course tour outlining preparations for hosting the Asian Tour season finale and supported broader efforts to build understanding of how national events contribute to the sport’s growth in the Kingdom.

Dirab Golf and Country Club will host the Saudi Open presented by PIF as part of the Asian Tour for the first time, serving as the season-ending event. The course has played an essential role in the development of golf in the Kingdom, helping introduce the game to new players and supporting national competition. Hosting the season finale at Dirab underscores the quality of courses now operating across Saudi Arabia and reflects the continued expansion of the national golf ecosystem in the years ahead.

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