Othman Almulla enjoyed the perfect start to his England Q-School week, leading his team to victory with 91 points in the MENA Golf Tour Pro-Am at the Royal Automobile Club.
The Saudi golfer finished two points clear of the teams led by Raphael Le Bot and Christos Pantazidis, who shared second place on 89 points. Adam Kasa’s team finished fourth with 87, followed by Lewis Brown’s team on 85.
While the team format offered a different atmosphere to the individual competition ahead, Almulla welcomed the opportunity to sharpen his game.
“Practice rounds can be a bit slow sometimes, but to be in a little bit of a competitive environment to start is a good start to the week,” he said.
Almulla was full of praise for the Old Course, particularly its putting surfaces.
“It’s such a grand place and in great condition for the time of year,” he said. “The greens are pure, rolling really quickly. I feel like I’ve got the speed and the breaks down.”
With wind and rain expected over the next two days, Almulla believes a round of three to five under par would represent a strong return, although calmer conditions could open the door to lower scores.
“Some guys could go low if the wind isn’t very strong,” he said. “But these golf courses have a way of biting back sometimes.”
Length could offer an advantage on certain holes, but Almulla expects course management to play an equally significant role, with trouble also coming into play for longer hitters.
His own approach will centre on maintaining the form and enjoyment he has found in recent months.
“Just stick to my process,” he said. “Keep doing the good things I’ve been doing, keep learning from all the experiences I’ve had this year and then go and enjoy myself.
“I’ve had a really good time on the golf course this year and I think that’s led to some good play. So just more of the same.”
England Q-School Pro-Am — Full Team Results
| Position | Professional | Nationality | Team points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Othman Almulla | Saudi Arabia | 91 |
| T2 | Raphael Le Bot | France | 89 |
| T2 | Christos Pantazidis | Greece | 89 |
| 4 | Adam Kasa | Hungary | 87 |
| 5 | Lewis Brown | Scotland | 85 |
| T6 | Freddie Parlby | England | 84 |
| T6 | James Thompson | England | 84 |
| T8 | Faisal Salhab | Saudi Arabia | 83 |
| T8 | Sandro Piaget | Monaco | 83 |
| T8 | Beau Coenraad | Netherlands | 83 |
| T8 | Manfredi Manica | Italy | 83 |
| 12 | Max Baxendale | England | 81 |
| 13 | Daniel Alonso Drljevic | Spain | 76 |
| 14 | Mario Garcia | Spain | 75 |
