GOLF – TOM Sloman from Great Britain was yesterday crowned champion in the 16th King Hamad Trophy golf championship, which came to a close at The Royal Golf Club.
Sloman secured the prestigious title for the second time in tournament history following a single-hole play-off against Hugo Trommetter of Morocco.
The pair headed into the decisive one-on-one after posting four-under-par 212 totals at the end of 54 holes. The play-off took place on the par-four 18th, and Sloman sealed his triumph after sinking a 20-foot birdie putt.
The 28-year-old added to his maiden King Hamad Trophy win, which was in 2022.
“Second win in three years – it’s great,” Sloman told the GDN. “It was a lot tougher this year – so much windier. I thought it was supposed to be nice weather here this time of year (laughs).”
Following yesterday’s action, Sloman was presented with the champion’s trophy by General Sports Authority vice-president Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa.
Bahrain Golf Association (BGA) chairman Major-General Ali Saqer Al Noaimi was also in attendance, along with BGA deputy chairman Duaij Khalifa Al Eid, other high-ranking BGA officials, and VIP guests representing sponsors.
Joining Sloman in receiving a prize as one of the top three professionals were fellow-Briton Zane Scotland, who finished third overall, and Spaniard Adri Arnaus, who came fourth.
Trommetter was one of 10 amateur players to be awarded. The others included Bahrain’s Yaseen Le Falher, who was the top-ranked Bahraini, Luke Jenkins from Great Britain, Simon Walker and Aodhagan Brady from Ireland, Harry Malin, also from Great Britain, Raghav Gulati from India, Ayoub Ssouadi from Morocco, Mousa Shanaah from Jordan, and Cameron Mukherjee from Great Britain.
The tournament was organised by the BGA and it was held under the royal patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
To go along with his title, Sloman also secured a place in next year’s Bahrain Championship, to be held from January 30 to February 2 also at The Royal Golf Club, and as part of the DP World Tour’s 2025 calendar.
Ali Al Kowari will be joining him as the top-ranked Bahraini participant from the King Hamad Trophy, since Le Falher already has a berth which he won from this year’s Bahrain Amateur Open held in October.
In yesterday’s third and final round, Sloman carded a one-over-par 73 to add to his scores of 71 and 68 from the first two days, respectively. Trommetter played a one-under 71 yesterday, which was enough to force the play-off, having previously scored a 69 in round one and a 72 in round two.
Both players were on the 18th green with their second shot, but Trommetter came just short from sinking a birdie putt. Sloman took advantage and ended the proceedings with his sensational effort.
“It was tough out there, there was a lot of wind this week,” Sloman said. “I was happy with the way I played, although I didn’t putt my best, but it was good.
“I was more nervous in normal play than I was heading into the play-off. It was nice to get that birdie for the win. I love it here in Bahrain, this is the fifth or sixth year in a row that I’ve come back, and I enjoy it.”
Trommetter was not too disappointed finishing as the overall runner-up.
“It was a great tournament; this is my first time in Bahrain, and I’m happy with what I did,” Trommetter told the GDN.
“The three days were tough – I think it was like that for everyone. I just came in and tried to hit as many greens as possible, two putts, and keep the level up.
“I didn’t win the play-off but it was still a good tournament. Tom made a great birdie – it was a really good putt, so he deserved to win.
“I did my job, and I’m happy with my result.”
Scotland finished just one shot behind the two leaders at the end of three rounds, while Arnaus was a further shot back in fourth place and Matthew Gauntlett of Great Britain finished three shots behind in fifth. Le Falher was sixth overall with an even-par three-day total, while Ahmed Ali of the US, Jenkins, and Michele Ortolani of Italy were seventh through ninth, respectively.
Seven players were tied-10th overall, including Raphael LeBot of France, whose five-under 67 was yesterday’s best round, Michael Young of Great Britain, Walker, Brady, Malin, Gulati, and Ssouadi.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))