Monday 16 / December / 2024
MUSCAT: With just over two weeks to go for the tee-off of the opening International Series event – International Series Oman - of the 2024 season a handful of deserving golfers, including two local golfers have received their invitation to compete against the best of the Asian Tour, and a few LIV players too, at Al Mouj Golf, Muscat.
Leading Omani amateurs Azaan Al Rumhy and young Ahmed Al Wahaibi have been extended the invites with a few others from across the world.
A national team stalwart for many years, Azaan has represented Oman at many high-profile amateur events, most recently the Asia Pacific Amateur Championships in Australia and has played in Challenge Tour, European Tour, and in 2023 Asian Tour events. Azaan’s invite comes by virtue of him being the leading Omani golfer in the official World Amateur Golf Rankings.
Using the golden opportunity of an invite to an Asian Tour event to reward regional elite performance, as well as developing Omani talent, the Oman Golf Association (OGA) allocated two invitations to the recently played OHI Oman Amateur Open.
Ahmed Al Wahaibi finished as the leading Omani player at the Oman Amateur Open to secure the second invitation. At 18, Al Wahaibi may possibly be the youngest player at the forthcoming event and it would be the second time he would be taking part in the International Series Oman.
Taking the top spot at Oman Amateur Open was Jay Mullane who made the short trip from Dubai. Mullane’s title victory earned him an invitation.
The other invitees include Austrian Challenge Tour Professional Niklas Regner, Moroccan professionals Ayoub Lguirati and Ayoub Id Omar. Another invitation has been allocated to the leading amateur at the inaugural Ominvest Masters which will be played at La Vie Club in Muscat.
Mundhir Al Barwani, OGA chief said: “We are very grateful for the support that the Asian Tour has extended to allow greater development of golf within the region. The opportunity for our elite amateurs to compete against the world’s best has great value for the players themselves as well as inspiring those youngsters who have just begun the game. These invitations allow us to strengthen bonds to grow the game and also to promote Oman as a fantastic destination for golf, tourism, and investment.”
