DOHA, 26 January 2008 — Saudi Arabia’s top amateur golfer Othman Almulla fired a battling 4-over 76 yesterday in the second round of the 2008 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at Doha Golf Club here.
Almulla, 21, may have not made the cut with a two-day 12-over total of 156 but he finished his second European Tour event after last year’s Dubai Desert Classic definitely richer in experience.
“It wasn’t unexpected but little bit of a letdown and more of a discovery of what I need to work out to realize my potential. It was really close. I just need to put everything together so everything goes,” said Almulla.
With a brave and confident display, Almulla matched skills with the two touring professionals in his group namely Jean-Baptiste Gonnet of France and England’s Sam Little.
A double bogey on the home hole when his drive veered to the left and he took a penalty drop on his second shot due to an unplayable lie erased an even-par back nine, after he tapped in for birdie on par-4 307 yards No. 16 to pick up a shot after a bogey on the 11th hole.
Watched by a large gallery that gathered on the 16th green Almulla did not disappoint. He drove the green taking advantage of the tailwind and the ball sailed over a big rock and landed on the left edge. The ball was sitting on the apron and Almulla nearly chipped in for an eagle with a three-wood, a kind of shot he executes with confidence.
Almulla hit crisp shots on the tee and from the fairways and presented himself with a number of birdie chances. He sank putts of inside five feet including on the intimidating No. 14 guarded by a lake where he hit a beautiful drive down the middle of the fairway. His first putt traveled five feet past the hole but Almulla confidently stroked the ball in the hole on the comeback.
Clinching two major victories — Qatar Open and Red Sea and Pan Arab Open — to put the Kingdom on the Arab golf map, Almulla recovered from the first round double bogey on the par-3 eighth hole when this time he dumped his iron shot from the tee to the right of the hole and two-putted.
Almulla, nicknamed Saudi Aramco Tiger, carded nines of 38-38 with bogeys on ninth and No. 5. He scored 80 in the first round.
Thus ended a fourth straight tournament week for the young Othman who said his parents, Ibrahim and Layma, are the best support system he could ever ask for.
Ibrahim though welcomed support from other sectors to help grow the promising golf career of his son.
Othman drew praise from his caddie South African Pertie Duplooy. He said Othman has the game and the head for gold though he needs to have a coach and improve his body build.
