The Oman Amateur Series kicked off today (Thursday) at Ghala Golf Club in Muscat, Oman.
Tied after day one is Omani Badar Al Amri and Sri Lankan Ruwan Jayasinghe after opening rounds of two over par 74 in the 54 hole Strokeplay event.
Creating playing opportunities
The Oman Amateur Series is in association with the Oman Golf Association (OGA) and The R&A. The OGA is organising more World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) events to create playing opportunities for the Omani and Oman based amateurs. As the elite game in the region grows, having WAGR status is becoming key in creating playing opportunities. Currently Oman has one player, Azzan Al Rumhy, listed with WAGR status, through these events the Oman Golf Association endeavours to see this number increase.
In the shotgun start, Badar began his opening round on the 13th hole. Bogeys on holes 14, 2, 8 and 12 were softened with birdies on holes 3 and 10 over the 6528 yard layout at his home course, Ghala Golf Club.
A score matched by Ruwan. Another competitor playing out of Ghala Golf Club, had just one solitary birdie on the 11th, after starting on the 9th hole, and bogeys on 14, 17 and 5.
Tight on their heels are three more Omani players, Faiz Riaz, Azzan Al Rumhy and Ahmed Al Wahaibi just two shots back. They are joined by Nasser Yacoob and Mohamed Diab Alnoaimi from Bahrain.
Gross Leaders After Round One
T1 – Badar Al Amri, Oman +2
T1 – Ruwan Jayasinghe, Sri Lanka +2
T3 – Faiz Riaz, Oman +5
T3 – Azzan Al Rumhy, Oman +5
T3 – Nasser Yacoob, Bahrain +5
T3 – Ahmed Al Wahaibi, Oman +5
T3 – Mohamed Diab Alnoaimi, Bahrain +5
In the Net Division there is also a two-way tie for the lead after round one. American Timothy Lang (HCP 17) who plays out of Ras Al Hamra, Mucat, shot an 84, net 67. The 42-year-old carded an eagle, six birdies, one bogey and one double bogey to see him finish at the top through 18 holes.
Timothy is joined in first place alongside by H.H Sayyid Azzan Al Said (HCP 17). The 30-year-old plays out of the newly opened La Vie Club in Muscat and had an impressive six birdies and an eagle to see himself card also an 84 net 67.
Net Leaders After Round One
T1 – Timothy Lang, USA -5
T1 – H.H Sayyid Azzan Al Said, Oman -5
3 – Faiz Riaz, Oman -4
4 – Badar Al Amri, Oman -3
5 – Andrew Moore, Scotland -1
With a redraw for the second round tomorrow (Friday), the leading pair are off the first hole at 07:50 local time alongside Mohamed Diab Alnoaimi.
The Oman Amateur Series has been made possible by the support of Ghala Golf Club, the R&A, Asian Tour, and the Oman Golf Associations partners Sohar Aluminium and Moore Stephens. The Oman Golf Association also thanks the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth for their ongoing support and guidance.
