Pakistani Duo Bid for Further Faldo Series Glory

Lahore, Pakistan (November 27): Damil Attaullah and Humna Amjed will be bidding for fourth straight Faldo Series Pakistan Championship successes when the 10th edition of the event tees-off this week.

A two-time winner of the Boys’ Under-16 title, Attaullah made a smooth transition to the under-18 category last year, enjoying an eight-stroke winning margin.

His challenge at PAF Sky View Golf Club in the fourth leg of the 2020-21 Faldo Series Asia season is not only to retain that title, but also to claim the overall crown – a feat that has eluded him, to date.

For her part, reigning national ladies amateur champion and international team representative Amjed is favourite once more to capture the Girls’ Under-16 title, adding to her previous triumphs in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Like Attaullah, Amjed is keen to give a better account of herself if she makes it through to the 15th Faldo Series Asia Grand Final. Last year at Vietnam’s Laguna Lăng Cô, Attaullah tied for 11th in the Boys’ Under-16s, while Amjed replicated that performance among the Girls’ Under-16s.

Meanwhile, intrigue in the Girls’ Under-21 segment this week will focus on what promises to be a sisterly battle between Rimsha and Parkha Ijaz.

Six-time Major champion Sir Nick Faldo expressed his gratitude to the Pakistan Golf Federation for proceeding with the R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking event, which is being staged for the first time at PAF Sky View Golf Club, an 18-hole venue that was opened in 2018.

“It’s great news that you’re able to go ahead with the Faldo Series Pakistan Championship this year. Given these challenging times, it’s greatly appreciated that you’re able to run a tournament and give this opportunity to junior golfers in Pakistan,” said Sir Nick.

Age group category winners from this week’s tournament will qualify for the 15th Faldo Series Asia Grand Final. Although Laguna Lang Co is confirmed as the venue, the date is still under review and pending the status of the Covid-19 pandemic and the ability of players and officials to travel freely.

“We’re keeping close tabs on the situation around Asia and will be consulting with our partners at Laguna Lăng Cô in the coming days before making a final decision,” said Matthew Faldo, Director of the Faldo Series.

The 2020-21 Faldo Series Asia season is supported by The R&A and endorsed by the Asian Tour and the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation.

As well as events in Thailand, qualifiers are planned in Australia, Bangladesh, China, Chinese-Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam, subject to prevailing conditions and circumstances. The 14th and 15th editions of the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final are being planned at Vietnam’s Laguna Lăng Cô in 2021.

Recognised as the only global amateur series for boys and girls, the Faldo Series was established in 1996, expanding to Asia in 2006. Today, 40 Faldo Series tournaments take place in 30-plus countries worldwide, touching more than 4,000 golfers each year. Past champions include Tseng Ya-ni and Rory McIlroy, both multiple Major winners, while recent LPGA Tour winners include Thidapa Suwannapura (2010 Faldo Series Asia Grand Final Girls’ champion) and Nasa Hataoka (2016 Faldo Series Asia Grand Final Girls’ champion), eighth in the Rolex Ranking as of late September.