TDT | Manama
Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
Saudi Arabia’s Khalid Atiyeh was crowned champion of the 5th Bahrain Amateur Open Golf Championship yesterday, earning him a qualification card for the 2024 DP World Tour’s first Bahrain Championship, scheduled to be held in February.
Atiyeh shot a 2-under 70 in his final 18 holes yesterday to win the title after a sensational three-day play at the Royal Golf Club.
He finished with a 54-hole total of 13-under 203, winning by seven strokes.
Qatar’s Saleh Al Kaabi took second place with a three-day total of six under par and 210, while UAE’s Sam Mullane took third place with a total of four under par and 212.
Fahad Abdullah Al Hakam finished as the top-ranked Bahraini athlete and also booked a spot at next year’s Bahrain Championship, which offers US$2.5 million in prize money.
This year’s Bahrain Amateur Open Golf Championship saw 85 players tee off from around the world. Atie served as the leader from the first day and finished the tournament with dignity.
Yesterday, he had two birdies on the third day for a score of 70, with tournament bests of 65 on day one and 68 on day two.
In addition to winning and qualifying for the Bahrain Championship, Atiyeh also receives an invitation to this year’s King Hamad Trophy, which will be held on the same Colin Montgomerie-designed 18-hole championship course at the Royal Golf Club from November 23 to 25. also acquired.
Following the top three were two athletes from the UAE. Jay Mullane was 4th with a total of 3-under 213, and Alistair Hess was 5th with 1-under 215.
Jordan’s Moussa Shana is sixth with a total of 1-over 217, and Al Hakam is tied with Saudi Arabia’s Ali Saha with 2-over 218.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Khalid Kinabit won with a net score of 12-under 204. Bahrain’s Abdullah Salahuddin took second place with a net of 9-under 207, and Saudi Arabia’s Saud Al Gosaibi was third with a net of 7-under 209.
Following yesterday’s final round, the awards ceremony and closing ceremony were held under the patronage of Bahrain Golf Association (BGA) Chairman Major General Ali bin Saqr Al Nuaimi.
Many BGA officials and tournament sponsor executives were also in attendance. The 5th Bahrain Amateur Open Golf Championship is a World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) event.
This will also serve as a qualifier for 2023. The 2024 DP World Tour’s first Bahrain Championship, also known as the PGA European Tour, is scheduled to be held from February 1 to 4 next year.
The winner of next month’s King Hamad Trophy and Bahrain’s top player will be competing alongside DP World Tour Professionals in the highly anticipated tournament.