GOLF – DEFENDING champion Tom Sloman headlined a three-way tie for first place yesterday heading into the final round of the 17th King Hamad Trophy golf championship, currently being played at Royal Golf Club.
The two-time winner from Britain was joined in a share of the lead by Irish amateur Aodhagan Brady and fellow-professional Joel Stalter from France.
They all boast eight-under-par totals of 136 after 36 holes as they spearhead a field of 45 golfers who have made the cut for today’s concluding round.
The three-day, 54-hole event is being held under the royal patronage of His Majesty King Hamad. Organised and run by the Bahrain Golf Association (BGA), it features nearly 90 players, both professionals and amateurs from around the world, who are vying for not only the prestigious King Hamad Trophy, but also an invitation to compete in the DP World Tour’s Bahrain Championship in 2026.
The leading 10 professionals following today’s final day will also receive cash prizes, with the champion pocketing $10,000, the runner-up coming away with $6,800, and the third-placer getting $4,600. Furthermore, the leading 10 amateurs will receive in-kind prizes, while there will also be a special award for the best Bahraini player along with other consolation prizes.
After starting yesterday’s play three shots clear from the top, Sloman carded an impressive five-under-par 67 yesterday to add to his 69 on day one to move into the tie atop the leaderboard – the first time in the history of the competition that three players are level heading into the last 18 holes, according to the BGA.
Brady had a three-under 69 to go with his first day’s score of 67, while Stalter, who was in joint-first place with Ahmed Ali from the US on the first day, maintained his position with a two-under-par 70 yesterday.
Ali could not repeat his impressive start to the tournament and carded a one-over 73 on day two to go three shots behind the leaders at 139.
Three others followed in tied-fifth, five shots back on three-under-par 141 scores, including former champions Ahmed Marjan from Morocco and Jamie Elson from Britain, along with Portuguese amateur Luis Ferreira da Silva.
Elson registered a six-under-par 66 for the day, which was the best of round two. It was matched by compatriot Luke Jenkins, who climbed to tied-eighth just a further stroke behind.
Jenkins was one of four players sharing that position, with the others before ex-King Hamad Trophy winners Luke Joy from Britain and Cole Madey from the US, along with Barnes Wallis, also from Britain.
Yaseen Le Falher carded a one-under-par 71 yesterday to improve to five shots over par and spearhead the Bahraini contingent after two days. He was ranked tied-30th, and was one of only two of the kingdom’s golfers to make the cut. Ahmed Alzayed was the other, going tied-42nd with an eight-over-par total of 152.
The King Hamad Trophy is one of Bahrain’s premier golf events, and it attracts top players from around the world each year.
It also helps build excitement for the Bahrain Championship, which will take place next year from January 29 to February 1 as part of the DP World Tour’s international swing.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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