2 weeks ago
December 5, 2024 - Riyadh: Two players shared a new course record of eight-under-par 63 at the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers on a day that Khalid Attieh became extremely close to becoming the first Saudi player to make the halfway cut in the five-year history of this highly prestigious tournament.
Attieh battled bravely to join 72 of the world’s leading players on or above the cut mark of three under par (139) at the par 71, 7,411-yard Riyadh Golf Club, which has recently undergone extensive improvements and lengthening.
He followed Wednesday’s first-round four-under 67 with a 73, but his seven-foot par putt on the par-four 18th to qualify for the final two days at the Golf Saudi organized tournament slipped narrowly past the cup and he missed out on qualification by a single shot.
Early starters Joaquin Niemann of Chile and Australia’s Open Championship winner, Cameron Smith, particularly enjoyed themselves on a day of generally low scoring with light breezes and consistently warm, sunny conditions.
Niemann followed his 65 from Wednesday with a 66 to set the two-round target at 11 under par but within minutes Smith had matched that mark with a flawless round of 64.
However, even Smith was slightly left in the shade by his playing partner Tyrrell Hatton, the three-time European Ryder Cup player, who fired a course record eight-under-par 63 to move to 10 below par and a serious threat to the leaders over the final two rounds.
Hatton’s record-breaking score was later matched by American Logan McAllister, who converted six birdies and an eagle three on the 593-yard 15th, to join Niemann and Smith at the top of the leaderboard. Towards the end of the day, American Peter Uihlein made it a four-way tie as he too moved to 11 under following his second-round 65.
Niemann summed up: “There is still a lot of golf to play and I’m looking forward to that. I’ve not played this course before but I’ve played in Saudi a few times and I like playing here. You can tell they’ve been working hard on this course and they’re making it better and better.”
Meanwhile, Attieh was very disappointed not to make his fourth Asian Tour cut this season on his home course following successes at IS Oman, Black Mountain Championship, and the BNI Indonesian Masters, but wisely took the positives from a memorable week.
Speaking on behalf of the record five Saudi players participating in the event, he said: “We all work hard to try to achieve the most out of our game. It’s nice to see some of the Saudi players also posting some nice numbers and hopefully we can definitely learn from this week and, moving forward, try and compete against these big guys that are here.
“It’s been an awesome experience and thanks to Golf Saudi and the Saudi Federation for helping us out through this journey.”
Sadly, four of his countrymen also failed to make the final two rounds of a fiercely competitive event that featured an array of Major winners including Louis Oosthuizen (nine under 133), Patrick Reed (136), Martin Kaymer (138), Graeme McDowell (139), Charl Schwartzel (140), Bubba Watson (141), Dustin Johnson (142), and Sergio Garcia (144).
Saud Al Sharif slipped back from Wednesday’s excellent opening round of 68 to finish three over par (145) following a 77, while Faisal Salhab finished on a seven-over total of 149, Othman Almulla recorded 152, and Shergo Al Kurdi 154.
It was still a positive week, however, for all the home players who were able to witness first hand how the very best in the game prepare and conduct themselves on and off the course. They can now take that knowledge and inspiration into the new season next year.
Earlier in the day, it was announced that Johnson, a two-time winner of this event and twice Major champion, would be representing Golf Saudi as its latest high-profile ambassador.
After the final putt dropped, the thousands of golf fans were joined by music lovers for another wonderful evening of entertainment at Riyadh Golf Club with the ever-popular Egyptian singer-songwriter Tamer Ashour headlining.
For tickets for PIF Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisers, visit PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers | webook.com | webook.com
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