KARACHI: Pakistan’s rising golf prodigy Saad Habib Malik carved out a performance that turned heads — finishing runner-up at the Dallas Amateur Golf Championship 2025 after a thrilling three-day showdown at Cedar Crest Golf Course.
Held from July 25 to 27, the championship drew 60 top-tier golfers, each boasting handicaps of +2 or better.
With the par-70 course rated at a formidable 73.2 and a slope of 131, scoring under par was a rare feat — one achieved by only four players.
But Saad, Pakistan’s reigning National Junior Amateur Champion, was among them — and he didn’t just scrape through; he soared.
After a shaky opening round of 74 (+4), Saad bounced back in spectacular style. He scorched the fairways in the second round with a flawless 66 (-4), carding four birdies and no bogeys.
But it was his final round that lit up the leaderboard — a stunning 65 (-5), featuring six birdies, including a clutch three-birdie run on holes 13, 14, and 15 that ignited the gallery and briefly brought him within striking distance of the lead.
His three-round total of five under par (-5) saw him finish tied with American golfer Sam Braver, but Saad edged ahead on the countback rule, earning the runner-up spot behind tournament champion Akshay Mandadapu, who took the title at -8.
For the 19-year-old Saad — who earned a special exemption into the field thanks to his World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) — this performance on American soil is more than a career highlight.
“Playing under pressure and against such strong competition tested every part of my game,” Saad said. “I’m proud of how I handled myself mentally, especially after a tough first day.”
