The European Tour returns to the Middle East for the Oman Open. Here are five things to lookout for in Muscat this week.
Luiten’s consistency
Joost Luiten’s claimed the Oman Open title 12 months ago and his recent form makes him one of the favourites to triumph again this year.
The Dutchman has recorded three top ten results in four events, including a share of tenth at the WGC-Mexico Championship last week.
He started his 2019 campaign with a third place finish at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA after a stunning seven under par final round. His second top ten came at the inaugural Saudi International powered by SBIA two weeks later as he recorded another seven under par final round to take a share of sixth.
It was the same final day outcome in Mexico, as Luiten carded seven birdies in eight holes en route to yet another seven under par final round to race up the leaderboard to take a share of tenth place – his best World Golf Championships result.
Seconds out, round two
The European Tour’s debut in Oman did not disappoint, as Luiten and Chris Wood went toe-to-toe on the final nine holes in the desert 12 months ago.
After exchanging shots on the opening nine holes, the duo shared the lead as they made the turn and it stayed like that until the 13thhole where the Dutchman moved ahead with a birdie to Wood’s par.
Both players made birdies on the par five 16th,but a dropped shot from the Englishman on the following hole saw Luiten take a two-stroke advantage to the 18th. With Wood unable to find a birdie, Luiten kept his composure to make par and claim the inaugural Oman Open.
Challenge Tour origins
Ahead of last year’s debut on the European Tour, Al Mouj Golf was a regular venue on the European Challenge Tour, where it hosted the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final at the culmination of the season from 2015-2017.
All three winners of the season-ending event will tee it up at Al Mouj Golf; Ricardo Gouveia (2015), Bernd Ritthammer (2016) and Clément Sordet (2017).
Before its Grand Final responsibility, the Muscat venue hosted the National Bank of Oman Golf Classic in 2013 and 2014.
Ryder Cup royalty
There will be plenty of Ryder Cup experience on show at Al Mouj Golf with The 2018 Ryder Cup Captain Thomas Bjørn joined by one of his five vice captains Robert Karlsson, plus 2016 vice captain Paul Lawrie. 11 former members of Team Europe will also tee it up in Muscat, including Nicolas Colsaerts, Victor Dubuisson, Ross Fisher, Stephen Gallacher, Peter Hanson, David Howell, Edoardo Molinari, Thomas Pieters, Andy Sullivan, Oliver Wilson and Wood.
Idyllic location
Oman will be the third of four countries from the Gulf Cooperation Council to host a European Tour event this year.
After the ‘Desert Swing’, which visited the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia earlier in the season, the 2019 Race to Dubai touches down in Muscat, where it will grace the stunning coastline course of Al Mouj Golf before jetting off to Qatar next week.
With the beautiful sandy beaches separating the lush green fairways from the crystal-blue water of the Gulf of Oman, the Greg Norman-designed course is golfing heaven.
