Attieh’s heroics are further evidence of golfing talent

Muscat: Khalid Walid Attieh made history in Oman this weekend by becoming the first ever Saudi amateur to make the cut in a pro golf tournament, emphasising the important role The International Series is playing for golf in the region.

Attieh’s one-under round of 71 was enough to earn a priceless place in Saturday’s third round at a star-studded International Series Oman, just a week after earning his spot in the filed by winning the Oman Masters.

Attieh was one of four Saudi players in the field along with of Othman Almulla, Saud Al Sharif, Faisal Salhab, while Omani amateurs Azzan Al Rumhy and Ahmed Al Wahaibi also gained invaluable experience over the first two days in their home event at Al Mouj Golf.

Dubai-based youngster Joshua Grenville-Wood, Jordanian-English golfer Shergo Al Khurdi and the Moroccan duo of Ayoub Lguirati and Ayoub Id-Omar completed a healthy representation of the region in the US$2 million event, the first of the season on The International Series.

Rahul Singh, Head of The International Series, said: “Khalid has given us an excellent example of the talent that is emerging from the region, and it will be interesting to see the impact that this has on golf in the region.

“While The International Series is an open, merit-based pathway onto the LIV Golf League, it is also about giving local talent opportunities to play against elite-level golfers, an opportunity they might not have anywhere else.

“By competing against some of the best players in the world, Khalid has proved that there is talent emerging in the region.”

There have been encouraging signs of growth across the region on The International Series. In 2022, home hope Lguiruat finished T28 in the inaugural International Series Morocco, and he followed it up with a T37 in Egypt the following week, behind Al Kurdi who finished T27 and amateur compatriot El Mehdi Fakori, who came home T33.

Singh added: “We would love to see a breakthrough from one of the regional players on The International Series, to come through the series, get some money and some real opportunities. We know there is a lot of potential in the region, but we also have the evidence. Let’s hone that talent – we are trying to do that by giving them opportunities on The International Series. Let’s see what comes out if it.”