MUSCAT: A star-studded field is relishing the prospect of taking on the testing Al Mouj Golf at the International Series Oman. 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. 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. “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, 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 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!”
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.”
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.”
The International Series Oman starts on February 22, and runs through to February 25 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. Watch the full International Series Oman Press Conference here on YouTube.
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