Dustin Johnson shot 61 Friday at the Saudi International.
That’s basically one stroke for every spectator who witnessed his course-record effort at spectator-less Royal Greens.
Welcome to King Abdullah Economic City — basically referred to as KAEC over there in the land of sand and oil. It’s pronounced “cake” and its supposed to be the Saudi city of the future, a spectacular mix of concrete and grass on the edge of the Red Sea.
It boasts incredible security in the form of a wall surrounding the entire city — no one gets in without good reason.
From the looks of Thursday and Friday at this highly-controversial European Tour event — they didn’t allow any golf enthusiasts into the city.
This event, set up, funded and sponsored by The Kingdom and masterminded by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and if you want to be totally proper — it’s Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud — which is certainly a mouthful and would create total havoc when they’re filling out those paper name tags at the Rotary Club meeting.
Last fall the Saudis, and the Crown Prince in particular, garnered the wrong king of world publicity after the wacking and chopping up of Washington Post correspondent Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Turkey. The United States CIA pointed the finger at the Crown Prince, implying that he gave that hit the thumbs up.
Which brings us back to King Abdullah Economic City and another low round by Dustin Johnson, one of the highly-compensated American golf mercenaries who were brought in to bring some needed attention and credibility to this European Tour stop.
Justin Rose is on site and his opening round of 70 on Thursday had very few witnesses. Which begs the age-old question — if they played a big golf tournament and no one came — does it still count?
Well yes, this one will count and world’s No. 1 Rose, No. 2 Brooks Koepka and No. 3 D.J. went about their business in total peace and quiet the first two days.
None of those annoying roars when someone makes eagle. No “QUIET” paddle signs necessary, in fact, no paddle-waving volunteers necessary, no gallery ropes necessary. You only need gallery ropes when there is a gallery and there weren’t any out there at Rolling Greens, a very artificial looking patch of green in the middle of a lot of sand with light poles all over the place. Seriously? They’re expecting people to play there at night? No one showed up in broad daylight.
Which brings us back to D.J., who looked his usual sleepy self on Friday when he shot a nine-under par 61 that wiped out Thomas Pieters’ day-old course record 63.
D.J. basically predicted his Friday success after a so-so 68 on Thursday. “I think I can get out there tomorrow morning and make a lot of birdies,” D.J. declared after he played Thursday afternoon and had to handle some annoying late winds that made scoring tougher compared to the calm morning conditions. Well, D.J. was spot-on. He played the back nine first, went out with four birdies and a 31 then came home in just 30 shots, including a 25-foot eagle putt from the front fringe at the par five fourth.
Sixty-one.
Not sure there were ever 61 spectators on any hole that D.J. played.
On the tee box at the ninth, his last hole of the day, about 12 folks watched his last drive.
D.J. should go on to win this one, when he gets it going, he’s tough to keep up with.
In the meantime, back in the good old U.S. of A., they’ll be challenging the 800,000 spectator mark at the Phoenix Open, which ironically is played on a desert golf course.
Which brings to mind the old adage — There’s No Place Like Home.
Saudi International Scoreboard:
Editor’s Note: World’s No. 1 Justin Rose said he’s not a politician but he didn’t stick around for the weekend in The Kingdom. A 72 on Friday left him two-over and on the wrong side of the 36-hole cut, which came at even par 140.
