Liu's scorching round steals the show at high-energy BMW Open Social in Sharjah
The summer heat was no match for the red-hot scoring at Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club as the BMW Open Social, sponsored by AGMC, delivered some exceptional golf and a strong turnout.
Played in a better ball stableford format, the event saw spirited competition and exciting performances, none more memorable than the remarkable effort by the pairing of Mohamed Elgaddafe and Ye Liu, who stormed to victory with an astonishing 58 points.
While both players contributed to the win, it was Liu's solo heroics that had players and spectators alike talking. On his own ball, Liu carded a jaw-dropping eight net birdies and seven net eagles, producing what many at SGSC hailed as one of the finest individual rounds ever witnessed at the club. Their chemistry and consistency earned them the day's top prize, and the admiration of all present.
There was plenty more to celebrate across the field. The duo of Lopez Garcia Javier and Alcalde Alvaro were rewarded for a solid run on the opening stretch, claiming Best Front Nine honours with 25 points.
Meanwhile, Daeil Kim and YoungKoo Kang turned up the pressure on the closing holes, firing an excellent 27 points to seal Best Back Nine recognition.
Beyond the leaderboard, the event was a lively reminder of the community atmosphere and camaraderie that have become hallmarks of Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club's social calendar.
With AGMC and BMW continuing to play a driving role in its success, the tournament once again delivered an experience that blended competition with celebration.
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Khaleej Times
4 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Chan's star rises in Morocco with second win signaling his emergence on the global stage
Aidric Chan took another giant step forward in his rising career with a composed, seven-under-par final round of 65 to win the $125,000 Morocco Rising Stars at Samanah Golf Club, Marrakech, on the Asian Development Tour (ADT). The victory not only pushed him to the top of the ADT Order of Merit but also earned him a coveted place in next month's $2 million International Series – Morocco on the Asian Tour. 'I'm really excited for what comes ahead,' said the 21-year-old from Manila after sealing the one-shot win. 'I don't know what the future holds, but I will stay focused on my goals.' Starting the day two shots behind overnight leader Luca Cianchetti, Chan wasted little time making his move at Samanah Golf Club, a Jack Nicklaus-designed course in Marrakech. With his wedges dialled in and his confidence high, Chan surged to an 18-under-par total, edging out India's Karandeep Kochhar, who also fired a 65, in a thrilling final-day shootout. The Morocco Rising Stars marked the sixth stop on the 2025 Asian Development Tour, which will wrap up in November with the $250,000 ARAMCO Invitational at Rolling Hills Golf Club in Saudi Arabia. With just five events remaining, Chan's Rise Dominates Season Chan's second victory of the season, following his breakthrough at the Lexus Challenge in March, has positioned him as a strong contender to secure one of the ten coveted Asian Tour cards on offer. His triumph in Marrakech also earned him one of only two spots available for next month's $2 million International Series – Morocco, thanks to his earnings across the two ADT events held in the country. It was a well-timed surge from Chan, who now leads the Order of Merit with season winnings of $38,352.17, leapfrogging Thailand's Tawit Polthai in the standings. The final day at Samanah Golf Club saw low scoring from several contenders, but none could match Chan's consistency. England's Finlay Mason joined the party with a sizzling 65 of his own to secure solo third at 16-under. He was followed closely by Thailand's Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij (68) and England's Sam Broadhurst (69), both tied for fourth. Home favourite Ayoub Lguirati was on course for a top-10 finish until a bogey on the 18th dropped him to a share of 13th. Still, at 11-under par, he was the leading Moroccan in the field and showed strong signs of promise on a world-class stage. 'You know, I couldn't be any more grateful for being in this position,' said Chan. 'I started the day with a birdie. My wedges instantly clicked in for me. I did bogey the second hole, but today, I felt that every time I was holding a wedge, I was getting it to the flag and then making a putt. That felt really good.' On what the future might hold, the 2019 winner of the Junior World Championships at Torrey Pines North in San Diego added: 'I'm feeling a big relief. The weight is off my back. Players like me, really aim to play on a higher stage every time. So, I'm really happy that I was able to close this out and save myself a trip to the Q-School. The ADT remains in Morocco this week, moving just 20 kilometres north to Al Maaden Golf Resorts in Marrakech for a second back-to-back event. Each tournament features a 132-player field, including 70 from the ADT, 40 nominated by the Arab Golf Federation, and a selection of invited players. UAE Amateurs Boost Golf Among the participants were UAE amateurs Ahmed Skaik, Sam Mullane, and Jay Mullane, all of whom will tee it up again this week. The UAE presence further underlines the increasing regional influence in developmental golf. Morocco's growing stature in the game is no accident. Through partnerships with the Clutch Pro Tour and its continued hosting of high-profile events - like the Hassan II Golf Trophy on the PGA Champions Tour and the Lalla Meryem Cup on the Ladies European Tour - the country is positioning itself as a driving force in the MENA region. 'This is a signature moment and the result of collaborative efforts with key partners; the Hassan II Golf Trophy Association, the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation and the Arab Golf Federation,' said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO of the Asian Tour. 'We share their vision of building the profile of the game in the region to help nurture the next generation of professional golfers.' A. Chan (Philippines) 64. 72. 69. 65. 270. K. Kochhar (Ind) 70. 67. 69. 65. 271. F. Mason (Eng) 66. 72. 69. 65. 272.
Khaleej Times
5 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Liu's scorching round steals the show at high-energy BMW Open Social in Sharjah
The summer heat was no match for the red-hot scoring at Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club as the BMW Open Social, sponsored by AGMC, delivered some exceptional golf and a strong turnout. Played in a better ball stableford format, the event saw spirited competition and exciting performances, none more memorable than the remarkable effort by the pairing of Mohamed Elgaddafe and Ye Liu, who stormed to victory with an astonishing 58 points. While both players contributed to the win, it was Liu's solo heroics that had players and spectators alike talking. On his own ball, Liu carded a jaw-dropping eight net birdies and seven net eagles, producing what many at SGSC hailed as one of the finest individual rounds ever witnessed at the club. Their chemistry and consistency earned them the day's top prize, and the admiration of all present. There was plenty more to celebrate across the field. The duo of Lopez Garcia Javier and Alcalde Alvaro were rewarded for a solid run on the opening stretch, claiming Best Front Nine honours with 25 points. Meanwhile, Daeil Kim and YoungKoo Kang turned up the pressure on the closing holes, firing an excellent 27 points to seal Best Back Nine recognition. Beyond the leaderboard, the event was a lively reminder of the community atmosphere and camaraderie that have become hallmarks of Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club's social calendar. With AGMC and BMW continuing to play a driving role in its success, the tournament once again delivered an experience that blended competition with celebration.
Khaleej Times
5 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Morrison feels ‘amazing' after battling mental struggles to end 10-year drought in France
James Morrison secured a memorable victory at the €300,000 Blot Play9 at Golf Bluegreen de Pléneuf Val André on the HotelPlanner Tour, marking his first tournament win in over a decade. The Englishman, a two-time DP World Tour winner, posted a level-par 70 in the final round to finish six-under-par for the tournament, tied with Irish rising star Max Kennedy. Morrison held his nerve in a playoff, parring the first extra hole to claim his maiden HotelPlanner Tour title. This win marks a long-awaited return to the winner's circle, with Morrison's previous victories coming at the 2015 Open de España and the 2010 Madeira Islands Open BPI – Portugal. He takes home the €48,000 top prize and, perhaps more importantly, a renewed sense of belief. 'I feel amazing right now and I'm very proud,' said Morrison. 'I didn't play my best today, but I hung in there the best I could. I battled all the way through and hit some good shots at the right time.' The final day posed plenty of challenges, with swirling winds and firm conditions testing the field on the tricky coastal layout. 'You can't relax until the very end,' Morrison added. 'Max Kennedy played some great golf, and my journey to this point has been very different to his - I know his time will come.' Perseverance Rewarded Morrison's perseverance paid off. Having lost his DP World Tour card last year, the Englishman returned to the HotelPlanner Tour with quiet determination. His victory now propels him 153 places up the Road to Mallorca Rankings to 19th. With the top 20 at the season's end earning promotion, Morrison is suddenly well positioned for a return to the big stage. 'This win puts me in great stead for the rest of the season," he said. "The golf hasn't been the problem, it's been a mental battle these past few years. It's been so hard for me and my family, and I'm just proud to have made it back.' Morrison has been open about those mental health struggles during the week, and this breakthrough win may well give him the boost needed to carry that momentum through the rest of 2025. Elsewhere, Scotland's Daniel Young produced a stunning final-round 60 to equal the course record and finish one shot behind the leaders in solo third. Remarkably, Young admitted he wasn't even thinking about a sub-60 score, having forgotten the course was a par 70. John Gough of England fired a 63 to finish fourth at four-under, with Frenchman Oihan Guillamoundeguy and Belgian Matthis Besard tied for fifth, one stroke further back. The Road to Mallorca remains in France next week, with the Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge at Golf PGA France du Vaudreuil from June 26–29. Italy's Renato Paratore, with his back-to-back wins in the UAE earlier this season, continues to lead the standings. J. Morrison (Eng): 64, 66, 74, 70 – 274 M. Kennedy (Ire): 60, 76, 68, 70 – 274 D. Young (Sco): 69, 71, 75, 60 – 275 J. Gough (Eng): 67, 71, 75, 63 – 276
