… Royal Greens GC, Saudi Arabia
For a short time on the final day of the fifth hosting of the Saudi International super-talented Moroccan amateur El Medhi Fakori was the leader in the clubhouse.
A fantastic closing round of a four-under-par 66, that included a super birdie at the final hole, and much to the delight of many looking-on from the corporate area, handed Fakori an overall four round score of level par on the host Royal Greens course.
The 21-year-old was afforded an invitation to compete this week in Saudi Arabia and had done himself and the Moroccan Golf Federation proud.
Congratulations & great effort …
With 🇲🇦 amateur El Mehdi Fakori @frmgolf posting closing 6⃣6⃣ @SaudiIntlGolf @asiantourgolf for leval par tally @royalgreens_ksa 👏💪
And also competing next week in Oman & following week in Qatar @asiantourgolf
✅ @TOURMISS pic.twitter.com/FIZ1jI1JpK
— Golf & Science News (@TOURMISS) February 5, 2023
Fakori produced earlier scores of 71, 69 and while posting a third round 74, he bounded with a closing round that including five birdies, including a ‘2’ at the postcard par-3 16th, and a lone bogey
“This week has been a great week for me as I’ve had the biggest experience in golf in my career”, he said.
“It’s been just so good for me to be playing in the same tournament as players like Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Brooks Koepka, Kevin Na, Patrick Reed, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and so many other big-name golfers.
“It’s been a like a dream for me to have been given the opportunity to play here in the tournament and to be on the practice range with so many great players.
“I also found myself on the practice putting green and while I should have been working on my own game, I was standing there just admiring them and how they went about their own practice.
“It did put a bit of pressure on me but then I was pleased with how I have played. I learned how to respect and play the golf course. I felt my strategy was good and while I did change something in my game mid-round on day two, I learnt to just stick with my game plan.
“I was just so proud to make the halfway cut and now equally proud to have played all four days”.
Those following the Moroccan amateur will also get the chance to see him tee-up in coming weeks as he’s been afforded invitations to also compete in this coming week’s Oman Open and the following week’s CB Qatar Masters.
