Overnight leader Naraajie E. Ramadhanputra maintained the pressure in a rain-delayed PIF Saudi Open today, extending his lead in the early stages and then plotting his way round a damp Riyadh Golf Course to clinch an assertive three shot victory and secure a spot in the Saudi International 2023.

The US$200,000 Asian Development Tour event, the first hosted by the tour in Saudi Arabia, was delayed due to overnight weather. Heavy rain forced the organizers to first revise tee times an hour later than scheduled and then finally opt for a shotgun start with threesomes at 10.30am.

Ramadhanputra (197), who won the OB Golf Invitational in Jakarta in June, started from the first tee in the leading group and set out his stall early. Two birdies in his first three holes and an eagle on the par five fifth hole saw him extend his advantage over playing partners Harrison Gilbert of Australia (200) and England’s Joshua Grenville-Wood (201).

Joshua-Grenville-Wood, who shot a new course record score of 62 on the opening day, finished in third place at the PIF Saudi Open in Riyadh.

Grenville-Wood and Gilbert, who started the day two and three shots behind the Indonesian, were unable to keep pace with the leader who posted a steady string of pars before birdieing the 13th and 16th holes to seemingly put the result beyond doubt.

A bogey on the 17th gave some hope to the chasing pack but by then the win was inevitable and a birdie on the 18th clinched the deal. Gilbert posted a matching six-under-par 66 to finish in second place with Grenville-Wood carding a 68 to take third.

Benjamin Follett-Smith of Zimbabwe, who started the day tied for sixth on eight under par, posted a bogey-free 66 and briefly threatened to challenge for the lead, but was only able to claim fourth spot with a total of 202.

Dodge Kemmer of the USA, winner of the season-opening Gurugram Challenge in March, posted the equal lowest score of the day with a flawless seven-under-par 65, rising up the leaderboard to share fourth place with Follett-Smith.

Australia’s Harrison Gilbert, matched the leader over two rounds but was unable to make up for a first day deficit of three shots

In sixth place, India’s Udayan Mane posted a bogey-free 66 to improve on his overnight score, together with Jared Ekeland Arnoy of Norway, who equalled the low round of the day with a 65.

Thailand’s Pisitchai Thippong shared eight place with compatriot Chanat Sakulpolphaisan and Lloyd Jefferson Go of the Philippines, both of whom were able to make up ground on the leaders in the season-long Order Of Merit.

Current OOM leader Suteepat Prateeptienchai, who has already won three times this year, ended up well down the field, together with fellow Thai Chonlatit Chuenboonngam who lies a close second in the OOM. Chonlatit finished tied for 19th and Suteepat with a share of 46th place. The other contender on the OOM, Chen Guxin of China, did not take part in this event.

The ADT is in action again next week in Saudi Arabia for the Aramco Invitational at Rolling Hills Golf Course followed by the final event of the season at the Taifong Open in Chinese Taipei.

The Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisors takes place at the Royal Greens Golf Course in Saudi Arabia from February 2-5, 2023. The US$5,000,000 event is the opening event of the Asian Tour’s 2023 season and last year was won by Harold Varner III of the USA.