South Australian Jack Thompson leads Saudi Open
South
Jack Thompson – file image Asian Tour
South Australian Jack Thompson arrived in Saudi Arabia this week needing a good week if he was to avoid losing his Asian Tour card for 2026, and the manner in which he has negotiated his opening 36 holes suggests that he has completed the task.
Thompson has begun the US$1 million Saudi Open at the Dirab Golf and Country Club with consecutive rounds of 65 to lead the final event of the 2025 Asian Tour season into the final 36 holes.
27-year-old Thompson leads by one over Sweden’s Bjorn Hellgren, Victorian Todd Sinnott the next best of the Australians in 24th place. Sinnott entered the week in 106th place on the Order of Merit so needs a very special final 36 holes if he is to retain his playing rights for next season.
Despite going so close to winning the New Zealand Open (an Asian Tour event) in March, Thompson has battled for much of the season on the Asian Tour and is currently in 62nd position on the Order of Merit, needing to be inside the top 65 in order to retain his playing privileges.
Making the cut this week would have been sufficient, but to lead by one heading into today’s third round, no doubt will provide the freedom for Thompson to enjoy his final two rounds of the year and look forward to a return to the Asian Tour.
