PHUKET, Thailand — Saudi National Team players were competing in both Thailand and Bahrain this weekend, taking part in two competitions.

Othman Almulla, Saudi Arabia’s only professional golfer was accompanied by three of Saudi Arabia’s leading amateurs Abdulrahman Al Mansour, Saud Al Sharif and Faisal Al Salhab.

All four were representing Golf Saudi and playing on the Asian Tour for the first time at the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship.

Al Mansour had the honor of taking the first tee shot to mark the Asian Tour’s resumption, following its suspension due to COVID-19 over the past 20 months as well as emphasizing the Tour’s strengthening of ties with the Middle East.

All players competed well despite not making the cut with Almulla posting positive scores of 76 and 72 in both rounds.

Commenting on his debut on the Asian Tour, Almulla said: “I have been playing for Saudi all around the world and representing the flag and trying to help grow the game.

“It feels great to be competing and we have been welcomed by the Asian Tour, we love that. It’s just an unbelievably good feeling to be here and competing.”

Next week the Asian Tour heads to the Laguna Phuket Championship at Laguna Golf Phuket — where the same four Saudi National Team players will once again compete.

There was also strong Saudi representation at this weekend’s King Hamad tournament in Bahrain with five Saudi National Team players competing. Turki Alhussain, Saud Alharbi, Abdualrahman Harakati,

Fahad AlMansour and Youssef Alnoaman were all in action. Despite not making the cut, all five players would have gained useful experience competing against other international golfers from all over the world. — SG