Dubai-based teenager Rayhan Thomas is looking to make an impression on the global golfing stage again when he competes in the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship which tees off today (Monday July 16) at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield – the same course that has hosted the U.S. Open seven times and the PGA Championship twice.
The MENA Tour star finished third in this tournament last year but became the first Indian to reach the semi-finals of the preeminent junior tournament – the United States Golf Association’s lead amateur event – where he was defeated by Noah Goodwin who went on to capture the title. The tournament’s previous winners include Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth.
“Playing the event knowing it’s the biggest junior event in the world and to finish top three means a lot,” said Thomas, 18, to The National’s Jon McAuley after last year’s event. “I can’t wait to compete at Baltusrol in 2018, which is supposed to be one of the best venues – a Major championship venue.”
Junior @PresidentsCup this year, but surely @RayhanThomas will get a chance to compete for the big baby in the near future. pic.twitter.com/CKQmWrYbYW
— Joy Chakravarty (@TheJoyofGolf) September 23, 2017
As well as impressing in this event last season, the Dubai Creek member also competed in the Junior Presidents Cup where his International team lost 14-10 to the USA.
The 71st U.S. Junior Amateur Championship takes place at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey with Rayhan teeing off at 9:09am – UC.
You can follow his round here: http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/championships/2018/u-s–junior-amateur.html#!scoring
