Some 15 months after capturing the inaugural Volvo Champions event and Paul Casey has again showed his fondness for Bahrain in teaming with NFL 49ers great Joe Montana to capture the Bahrain Invitational Pro-Celeb Team Competition.
Despite problems for safety in Bahrain and much publicity about the staging of this year’s F1 Grand Prix the ‘Invitational’ went ahead without fuss or concern.
Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn was crowned the Bahrain Invitational Champion, after a thrilling shoot out with Casey on the 18th after both players finished at 4 under par.
His Highness Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad al Khalifa Supreme Council for Youth and Sport Chairman and Olympic Committee President presents the prizes to the players - the winner of the individual prize Thomas Bjorn of Denmark and the team winners Paul Casey of England and NFL great Joe Montana during the second day of the Bahrain Invitational at the Royal Golf Club on April 14, 2012 in Riffa, Bahrain. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
Casey and Montana finished in front of the teams of Suzann Pettersen and Ruud Gullit, Bjorn and Gianluca Vialli, and Colin Montgomerie and Tim Henman.
“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,” said Montana.
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.”
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 Bahrain Invitational Pro-Am was staged at the Montgomerie designed Golf Club’s course where Casey posted a final round 68 to lift in January 2011 the splendid-looking Volvo Champions Trophy.
* Special thanks to Michelle Mair (IMG) for this information.
