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Historic Participation by Saudi Golfers at the 2024 PIF Saudi International

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — The 2024 PIF Saudi International, powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, will feature a groundbreaking achievement for Saudi golf: a record number of four local players will compete in the prestigious tournament at Riyadh Golf Club from December 4-7.

The Saudi Contingent:

Othman Almulla – The first professional golfer from Saudi Arabia and a trailblazer in the sport, Almulla is a former winner of the Qatar Open and the first Saudi golfer to qualify for major events like the Dubai Desert Classic.

Faisal Salhab – A rising talent who turned professional last year.

Saud Al-Sharif – Another emerging star in Saudi golf.

Khalid Walid – Completing the historic quartet of Saudi players making their mark on the international stage.

Additionally, Shergo Al-Kurdi, a Golf Saudi ambassador, will represent Jordan in the tournament.

Almulla’s Historic Milestone:

Othman Almulla expressed his pride, saying, “It’s an honor to compete alongside my fellow countrymen at such a prestigious event. This milestone is a testament to the growth of golf in Saudi Arabia and the bright future ahead.” Almulla continues to pave the way for golf in Saudi Arabia, pushing the sport forward through his achievements and advocacy.

New Wave of Talent:

Faisal Salhab turned professional last year and has shown great potential.

Attieh made history in 2024 by becoming the first Saudi amateur to make the cut at the International Series Oman.

Almulla, Salhab, and Al-Sharif are also ambassadors for Golf Saudi, playing key roles in promoting the sport’s development in the Kingdom.

Vision 2030 and Global Golf:

The participation of these four local golfers at the Saudi International, alongside global stars like Bubba Watson, Sergio Garcia, and Dustin Johnson, highlights the success of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. The initiative seeks to position Saudi Arabia as a prominent global hub for golf, blending tradition with innovation and creating pathways for local talent to shine on the world stage.

Inspiring the Next Generation:

The PIF Saudi International also seeks to inspire young Saudis to take up the sport. Through the Go Golf initiative, Golf Saudi offers new golfers three months of free lessons, 12 complimentary rounds, and discounted memberships, making the sport more accessible and helping build a thriving golf community in the Kingdom.

This historic participation marks a significant step in Saudi Arabia’s ongoing transformation of its sports culture, with golf playing a central role in the country's vision for the future.

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Elvis Smylie Wins BMW Australian PGA Championship in Dramatic Fashion

Royal Queensland, Australia — Elvis Smylie claimed his first DP World Tour victory, holding off a late charge from Cameron Smith to win the BMW Australian PGA Championship. The 22-year-old Australian showcased remarkable composure to secure the win, capping off a stellar performance in a tournament where he competed alongside his golfing idol, Cameron Smith, the 150th Open champion.

🎯 Key Moments:

Smylie, ranked world No. 736, had recently claimed his first professional victory on the PGA Tour of Australasia but stepped up to the big stage with a flawless final round of 67.

Starting the back nine with a three-shot lead, Smylie faced pressure from Smith, who birdied the 15th and 17th holes to narrow the gap to just two shots.

Despite finding trouble off the tee on the final hole, Smylie’s short game proved to be the difference, as he saved par repeatedly and held his nerve to claim victory.

💬 Elvis Smylie: “It’s a dream come true,” said Smylie. “Playing with Cam and Marc [Leishman], guys I’ve looked up to since I was a kid, was incredible. I’ve learned so much from competing with them and am just so grateful and honored.”

Smylie credited his short game for his victory, stating, “My short game was great; it really saved me today. I was pretty average off the tee, but golf is about imperfection, and I found a way to get it done.” He also expressed heartfelt gratitude for his family’s unwavering support. “My mum and dad have been with me every step of the way. Seeing my mum tearing up before I holed that last putt made it even more special.”

🏅 Other Highlights:

Marc Leishman tied for third at 11 under, alongside Anthony Quayle, who delivered an incredible bogey-free 63, capped by a 110-foot birdie putt on the final hole.

Former world No. 1 Jason Day finished tied for eighth at eight under.

Cameron Smith, despite a valiant rally, had to settle for second place.

This victory marks a perfect start to the 2025 DP World Tour season for Smylie, who has shown great promise in the sport. His win also signifies an important milestone in his career and serves as a reminder of his potential to achieve greatness in the world of golf.

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🏅 Taiwan Secures Historic First Gold at WBSC Premier12 Championship 🏆⚾

In a thrilling conclusion to the 2024 WBSC Premier12 Championship, Taiwan’s national baseball team made history by defeating Japan 4-0 in a commanding shutout at the Tokyo Dome. This remarkable victory secured Taiwan’s first-ever gold medal in the prestigious tournament.

🔹 Key Moments from the Championship Game:

Lin Chia-cheng hit a solo homer, and Chen Chieh-hsien, the team captain, followed up with a three-run blast in the 5th inning off Japanese pitcher Shosei Togo.

Lin Yu-min, Taiwan’s 21-year-old pitcher, threw a brilliant 4 innings, allowing only 1 hit, walking 3 batters, and striking out 3.

The bullpen continued to shine, holding Japan scoreless to seal the victory.

💥 Taiwan out-hit Japan 11 to 4, flipping the script after two prior losses in the tournament. 💬 Chen Chieh-hsien expressed the team’s joy: “We’ve pulled off a miracle.” This win came after Taiwan was considered an underdog by many, particularly in Japan.

🇹🇼 Historic Achievement:

This marks Taiwan’s first gold medal at a world-class baseball event and their first appearance in a final since the 1992 Olympics.

Taiwan’s Premier12 MVP, Chen Chieh-hsien, was instrumental, batting an outstanding .625 with 14 hits in 24 at-bats, including two home runs.

🔹 USA Takes Bronze: Earlier on Sunday, the United States secured the bronze with a 6-1 win over Venezuela.

The WBSC Premier12 is an elite tournament featuring the top 12 baseball teams in the world, and Taiwan’s victory has cemented their place among the baseball elite.

What a historic win for Chinese Taipei! 🥇

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Luis Severino Signs 3-Year, $67M Deal with A’s – Franchise Record 💰⚾

Right-handed pitcher Luis Severino has agreed to a three-year, $67M contract with the Oakland Athletics, the largest in franchise history. The deal includes an opt-out after the second year, giving Severino flexibility for future free agency.

🔹 Key Details: ✅ Declined Mets’ 1-year, $21.05M offer for a long-term deal. ✅ 2024 Stats: 11-7, 3.91 ERA, 161 Ks in 182 innings. ✅ Career Record: 65-44, 3.81 ERA (Yankees & Mets). ✅ Injury History: Tommy John surgery in 2020, but rebounded well. ✅ A’s Rebuild: Preparing for their Las Vegas relocation, Severino becomes a key part of the rotation.

💭 Good move for the A’s or a risky bet? 🤔🔥

🔗 Full story:

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🚨 Iga Świątek Accepts One-Month Doping Suspension 🇵🇱🎾

World No. 2 Iga Świątek has accepted a one-month suspension after testing positive for trimetazidine (TMZ), a banned substance. The ITIA ruled the violation was unintentional, caused by contaminated melatonin she used for sleep management.

🔹 Key Points: ✅ No Significant Fault or Negligence – minimal penalty. ✅ Suspension runs until Dec 4, 2024 (already served). ✅ Forfeited Cincinnati Open prize money. ✅ Missed three tournaments due to provisional suspension.

Świątek called the process stressful and unfair, but is now ready to move forward with a clean slate.

Was this the right call? 🤔🏆

🔗 Full story:

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🎾 Iga Świątek Suspended for One Month After Testing Positive for Banned Substance 🇵🇱

Five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Świątek has accepted a one-month suspension after testing positive for trimetazidine, a banned substance. The ITIA determined the violation was unintentional, caused by contamination in a melatonin supplement used for jet lag.

🔹 Key Details: ✅ Suspension accepted on Nov 27 (only 8 days remain). ✅ Provisionally banned from Sept 22 - Oct 4, missing 3 tournaments. ✅ Forfeited Cincinnati Open prize money. ✅ WADA reviewing decision, may appeal.

Świątek expressed shock and distress but vowed to move forward, thanking fans for their unwavering support. The WTA reaffirmed its belief in her commitment to fair play.

Is this a fair decision? 🤔🎾

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