Casey and Bjorn crowned champions at the inaugural Bahrain Invitational at the Royal Golf Club
After a day of exciting and competitive golf, the team of Paul Casey and Joe Montana won the Bahrain Invitational Pro-Celeb Team Competition, whilst Thomas Bjorn was crowned the Bahrain Invitational Champion, after a thrilling shoot out with Paul Casey on the 18th after both players finished at 4 under par.
The four teams that competed were Paul Casey and Joe Montana, Suzanne Pettersen and Ruud Gullit, Thomas Bjorn and Gianluca Vialli, and Colin Montgomerie and Tim Henman.
US Football legend, Joe Montana, said: “I am delighted to have won the first Bahrain Invitational Team Competition, particularly given what a competitive line-up of sportspeople there were on the course. It was also terrific to get the opportunity to play with such a talented golfing partner.
“It has been a great weekend of activity in Bahrain, and all of us have received a warm reception everywhere we’ve gone on the island. I am certainly looking forward to returning again in the near future.”
Thomas Bjorn said: “I’m really pleased to become the Bahrain Invitational Champion after a close and competitive round and against such talented players. The shoot out was a very exciting end to the day. This weekend has been a great celebration of sport, and the people of Bahrain now have next week’s Formula One race to look forward to.”
The tournament was held at the Royal Golf Club’s Montgomerie Course, which opened in 2009. Co-designed by Colin Montgomerie, the 7,243 yard, Par-72 championship course is recognised as one of the finest in the world.
The golf tournament followed sports coaching sessions across Bahrain, including a tennis workshop at the prestigious Bahrain Tennis Club, football sessions at the Bahrain National Stadium and a Sportsman’s Question Time at the Royal Golf Club on Friday 13th April.
The team of Paul Casey and Joe Montana, and Thomas Bjorn were awarded their prizes and trophies by HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Supreme Council for Youth and Sport Chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee President, and Kamal bin Ahmed, Minister of Transportation and Acting CE Bahrain Economic Development Board.
The Bahrain Invitational was a two day celebration of golf and sports, including a competitive golf tournament organised by the Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) and Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) and, in conjunction with IMG Worldwide.
