Dubai golf sensation Rayhan Thomas will tee off at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic for the third time this week and the 2018 King Hamad Trophy winner is hoping to use his experience of playing on home turf to his advantage when play gets underway tomorrow (Thursday).
The 19 year old, who narrowly missed out on sealing an invitation to the 2019 Masters Tournament and a place in the 148th Open Championship after finishing second at the 2018 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, marked his debut at the 2017 Omega Dubai Desert Classic in fine style by making the cut amongst some of the biggest names in golf before ending the tournament tied 60th.
“It’s a great honour to be invited back to play in the tournament,” says Thomas. “Golf in Dubai, Dubai Golf and the MENA Tour have always been great to me over the years so for them to extend another invite my way is highly appreciated.”
“The Omega Dubai Desert Classic is one of my favourite events of the year and is always special for me. The Majlis course is like my home course. I’ve learnt quite a bit having played the last two tournaments here and know where my game needs to be and what I need to do to make the cut in an event like this.”
Huge couple of weeks ahead for @RayhanThomas..
He's playing in the @OMEGAGolfDubai Desert Classic this week and then the @SaudiintlGolfAR next week.
He's made the cut here at the @EmiratesGC before, let's hope for a repeat this week for the Dubai teen.https://t.co/6o8oEHczy2 pic.twitter.com/w8Hlbje7zb
— Worldwide Golf (@WorldwideGolf) January 23, 2019
Thomas is no stranger to rubbing shoulders with the stars of the European Tour having also played the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, Commercial Bank Qatar Masters and competed in his homeland at the 2017 Hero Indian Open. But the UAE’s No.1 amateur admitted the nerves are still there.
“I get nervous heading into any event, not just professional tournaments,” he says. “But I’m not feeling to bad this week. I feel like my game is in great shape at the moment so I’m really looking forward to getting started tomorrow (Thursday).”
As well as competing in the 30th edition of the ‘Major of the Middle East’ alongside the likes of Sergio Garcia, Bryson DeChambeau and 2017 Race to Dubai champion Tommy Fleetwood, Thomas, has also received an invitation to the inaugural Saudi International where he will compete with World No.1 Justin Rose, three-time Major championship winner Brooks Koepka and World No.3 Dustin Johnson at Royal Green Golf & Country Club.
“It’s going to be a great experience for me playing back-to-back European Tournaments. “I’ve never been to Saudi Arabia before and to be playing in the first event there is pretty special. I can’t wait to check out Royal Green Golf & Country Club, it looks really impressive.” Rayhan Thomas
Rayhan Thomas gets his tournament underway from the 10th tee at 7:20 am alongside two-time European Tour winner and fellow countryman Shubhankar Sharma and Kiwi Ryan Fox on Thursday 24th January.
