Bryson DeChambeau gifts two young Saudi golf fans priceless memorabilia

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Friends Khalid Almodaimeegh, 10, and Nasser Altorki, 14, followed the big-hitting American Bryson DeChambeau across all 18-holes of the Saudi International final day. (Supplied)
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Khalid Almohdaimeegh with his signed ball. (Supplied)
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Updated 08 February 2021
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Bryson DeChambeau gifts two young Saudi golf fans priceless memorabilia

  • The 2021 Saudi International finished on Sunday and was won by the world’s No. 1 golfer Dustin Johnson

LONDON: Two young Saudi golf fans had a day they will never forget at this year’s Saudi International after their hero Bryson DeChambeau gifted them money-can’t-buy goodies after completing his final round of the tournament.

Friends Khalid Almodaimeegh, 10, and Nasser Altorki, 14, followed the big-hitting American across all 18-holes of Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) on Sunday as he fought to climb the leaderboard on the tournament’s closing day.

It wasn’t to be in the end for DeChambeau – famed for the colossal distance he gets in his shots – as he failed to clawback runaway champion Dustin Johnson.

But for the two young golfers from Riyadh, it will be a day that lives long in the memory after getting to watch their hero up close, and DeChambeau took the time at the end of his round to not only gift the schoolboys a signed golf-ball, but one of his famous flat caps as well.

“Bryson and DJ are my favourite golfers, so it was very exciting to see them in real life. They hit the ball so far, and Bryson can almost drive most of the greens,” Khalid, who has been playing golf for nine years, said.  “We were standing beside the 18th when we asked for a ball. Bryson signed it and threw it to us. I’ll keep it forever.”

Nasser, who plays golf every week, added: “I was keen to see Dustin Johnson, Kevin Na, Bryson and Ian Poulter. I walked with Bryson from the first hole to the 18th , and he noticed I was with him, so at the end he just took off his hat and gave it to me, signing it too. I’ll now probably frame it.”

The 2021 Saudi International finished on Sunday and was won by the world’s No. 1 golfer Dustin Johnson, who finished 15-under-par after four-days of golf.

England’s Justin Rose was second on -13, one shot ahead of Frenchman Victor Perez.


Ton-up Farhan helps Pakistan seal Super Eight spot with Namibia rout

Updated 19 February 2026
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Ton-up Farhan helps Pakistan seal Super Eight spot with Namibia rout

  • It was Farhan’s maiden T20 ton and he became only the second Pakistani to score a T20 World Cup century after Ahmed Shehzad in 2014 against Bangladesh

COLOMBO: Sahibzada Farhan hit a magnificent unbeaten century to help Pakistan seal the final Super Eight berth at the T20 World Cup with a thumping 102-run win over Namibia in Colombo on Wednesday.

Farhan scored 100 not out off 58 balls with four sixes and 10 fours as Pakistan posted 199-3 before they routed Namibia for 97 in 17.3 overs.

Pakistan’s victory took them to six points from four games in Group A and eliminated the United States, who finished with four points.

India also have six points and play the Netherlands in the group’s final game later Wednesday.

The defending champions India, South Africa, Zimbabwe and the West Indies will play each other in the Super eights Group 1, hosted in India.

Pakistan join New Zealand, England and co-hosts Sri Lanka in Group 2, hosted in Sri Lanka.

After a morale-shattering 61-run defeat against India, Pakistan needed a victory to avoid an early exit, which was achieved with ease as spinners Usman Tariq (4-16) and Shadab Khan (3-19) tore through the Namibia batting.

Louren Steenkamp scored 23 while Alexander Busing-Volschenk was the only other batsman to reach double figures with 20.

‘Complete performance’ 

Skipper Salman Agha praised a clinical show.

“It is a complete performance,” said a relieved Agha.

“We batted well and Farhan anchored the innings. He has been batting well for a while and I am happy that he got his hundred.

“With the ball we were lethal.”

Namibian skipper Gerhard Erasmus admitted Pakistan’s spin bowlers were too hot to handle.

“It (spin) is a special skill to have, to turn the ball both ways like they do,” said Erasmus.

“I think that’s one of the things we’ll definitely take home and look to improve on.”

Farhan earlier blasted a six and a four off pace bowler Jack Brassell to enter the 90s before taking a single off Gerhard Erasmus to complete his hundred in the final over.

It was Farhan’s maiden T20 ton and he became only the second Pakistani to score a T20 World Cup century after Ahmed Shehzad in 2014 against Bangladesh.

Shadab Khan, promoted to No. 5 with Babar Azam left out, hit three sixes and a four in his 36 not out off 22 balls as Pakistan smashed 42 from the last three overs.

Farhan put on 40 for the opening wicket with Saim Ayub (14) before consolidating the innings during a 67-run second wicket stand with captain Salman Agha (38).

Pakistan also left out pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi after a poor show in the first three matches, including conceding 31 in two overs in the defeat against India on Sunday.

Farhan’s ton means this is the first T20 World Cup in which three centuries have been scored.

He followed Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka, who scored a hundred against Australia on Monday, and Canada’s Yuvraj Sama who reached three figures against New Zealand on Tuesday.