Two top 16 performances in England showcases Saudi Arabia’s talent, with an international win a realistic target for the remainder of 2022

03, August 2022:  Golf Saudi’s highest ranked amateur golfer has continued to showcase his world-class ability with two top performances in England. Tied 15th in the Tilmann trophy at Castle Royle Golf and Country Club, followed by a 16th place in the world-renowned Walton Heath Trophy have helped Salhab prepare positively for a busy Asian Tour swing as part of the upcoming International Series. 

Salhab, who was victorious in two events during 2021 in the MENA region, has started to make waves on the international stage. Shooting a low score of 65 (six under-par) in the opening round at Castle Royle, it is clear that the 25 year old has found the sweet spot when it comes to his game and is now ready to compete for his first win on another continent. 

Both events showcased world-class amateurs, with over 110 players in each tournament (132 Tillman Trophy and 113 Walton Heath Trophy). Golf courses across Europe are very different to those in the Middle East and North Africa and these two strong performances demonstrate how his skills are not only developing but becoming transferrable across a wide range of layouts and courses, upon which he can showcase his skills. 

The Walton Heath Trophy and Tillman Trophy have historically had exceptional winners, including Masters Champion, Danny Willett, and golf legend, Ernie Els. Both tournaments provided a stern test of Salhab’s game and bode well for the remainder of 2022.

In the build-up to his next two tournaments on the Asian Tour, Faisal Salhab commented:

“The preparation that I’ve done in the UK has given me a lot more confidence in my game. By playing on different courses, I’ve had to adapt to the variety of conditions, which in turn has made me a more of a complete player. I am now focused and looking forward to competing at these next few Tournaments in Asia.”

Grant Smith one of the National Team Coaches for Golf Saudi has true belief in Salhab’s ability, and after coaching him for a number of years believes he is ready for the next step: 

“Both Faisal and Saud have a tremendous amount of talent and they both proved that by competing in these high caliber tournaments in new and challenging conditions. It was great to witness the hard work and preparation that was put in transcending into some really positive results. They can be extremely proud of how they are representing themselves and their country on the international stage.”

During the same visit to England, 22 year old Saud Alsharif also put in a strong performance at Castle Royle, finishing tied 36th. Alsharif, who won the Jordan Open in 2021, has been recognised as an extremely talented golfer, and is excited for the remainder of 2022: 

“I have taken away many positives from my experience playing in these UK tournaments over the summer. It was a challenge not only for my physical game but also my mind. I proved to myself that I was able to post a good score when I needed to in order to make the cut by fighting for every shot until the final putt was sunk. I’m excited to take this mentality forward into the next events we have lined up” 

In August, both players will be heading over to the Asian Tour, playing on the International Series as recognised Amateurs, in both Singapore and Korea. The events will be welcoming some of the game’s greatest players, as the Asian Tour becomes one of the most recognised tours on the planet. 

Golf Saudi continues to support the development of Amateurs in the Kingdom, and will work tirelessly in this regard, enabling superstar talent, such as Salhab and Alsharif, to fulfil their dreams as professional golfers. Over the next few months, Golf Saudi will document their performances as well as showcasing their ability through video and TV coverage.