Steven Smallsman emerged champion at the Hankook Golf Tournament 2026, scoring an impressive 40 points to lift the title at Sahara Golf Club on Friday, October 23, as the annual event marked its 20th edition and celebrated 50 years of partnership between Hankook and AlMailem Group.
A prominent fixture on Kuwait’s golfing calendar, the tournament attracted golfers from beyond the Sahara Club membership, bringing together enthusiasts for a day of competition and camaraderie. Play began at 8 am with a shotgun start, following the Stableford format with a three-quarter handicap allowance.
Smallsman led the field with 40 points. Veteran golfer Qatami Al-Qatami finished runner-up with 37 points, while young golfer Uday Bhasin also scored 37 points and secured third place on countback.
Ali Al-Ansari won the Best Gross award with a score of 66 and added another accolade by claiming the Men’s Longest Drive prize. Fadia Emadi won the Women’s Longest Drive award, while Al-Qatami took the Men’s Nearest to Pin prize. Raji Lamba won the corresponding award in the women’s category.
Favourable playing conditions added to the occasion, with a cool morning breeze giving way to bright sunshine as the day progressed.
Celebrating a 50-year partnership
The afternoon prize-giving ceremony was attended by South Korean Ambassador to Kuwait H.E Jang Hyun Kim and Hankook MENA Managing Director Dae-Hee Yun.
Addressing the gathering, AlMailem Group Managing Director Kuldeep Lamba thanked Hankook for its continued commitment and support in building the brand in Kuwait over the past five decades. He also praised the golfers for their enthusiastic participation and commended the Sahara Club staff for the professional organisation and administration of the tournament.
The 2026 edition combined the tournament’s longstanding place in Kuwait’s golfing calendar with a celebration of the enduring Hankook-AlMailem partnership, bringing together sporting achievement, friendly competition and business ties.
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