Bahrain to Host Faldo Series Asia Qualifier

The management of the Royal Golf Club is delighted to announce that the Club will once again play host to the Faldo Series Asia Middle East qualifier on 7th and 8th October. The tournament was confirmed by golfing legend Sir Nick Faldo at the prize-giving ceremony marking the conclusion of the 2010 Faldo Series Asia Grand Final at Mission Hills in China which was won for the first time by a Japanese youngster, Masamichi Ito, after a sudden-death play-off.

Overnight leader Chi Hsien Hsieh from China Taipei completed his final round of 74 to tie at 214 with Ito who carded a 3 under par 69. The play-off took place on the course’s par 5 finishing hole, with both players making the fairway from the tee. Hsieh played first and positioned his second shot just short of the green to leave a comfortable wedge on. Ito elected to take on the challenge, hitting a seven wood from 252 yards out; the resulting shot carried the lake in front of the green landing and rolling out to 20 feet – a two putt birdie against Hsieh’s par was enough to give Ito the series win.

Ahmed Al Musharrekh from Dubai Creek Golf Club ensured he climbed the leader board on the final day, finishing as the highest placed player to have qualified from the Middle East. Despite heavy rain showers during the final round of the three day tournament, Musharrekh recovered well after an uncertain start, finishing with an 8 over par 80 for the day.

Phil Jones, Director of Golf Operations at the Royal Golf Club, who accompanied the four Middle East representatives to China commented, “We look forward to welcoming junior players from all around the GCC again this October to compete for a place in next year’s final. Having seen the standard of the golf course and the way the juniors are looked after at the Grand Final, it really is the opportunity to win a trip of a lifetime!”