The UAE National Team star has created golfing history over the last couple of months, becoming the first player from the country to play in both the US Junior and US Amateur Championships. Will Kent caught up with the 17-year-old to get the lowdown on his recent history-making trip across the Atlantic.
Rayan Ahmed has been slowly making a name for himself over recent months, representing the country in a host of prestigious events. I first saw him play at the Eisenhower Trophy last year in October, and it was clear to me then he was destined to great things.
Since then, he’s helped the UAE win medals on the international stage as well as going on to make his Challenge Tour debut. More recently, the youngster created his own little piece of history once again by playing in a prestigious amateur event Tiger Woods won three times – the US Amateur Championship.
Talking to him, you’d easily forget he’s only 17. His confidence, emotional intelligence, and openness is remarkable. While most teenagers are still figuring out their future, Ahmed has a clear vision for his, fuelled by his love for the game and an insatiable hunger to improve.
From the pressure of representing his country to facing off against some of the top young talent globally, he shared his insights on the highs and challenges of his history-making run, offering a glimpse into the mindset that has already set him apart at such a young age.
On his recent trip playing in America…
I had travelled to US with a plan to play IMG World Championships at Torrey Pines, the Junior PGA at the Congressional and US Junior Amateur at the Oakland Hills. Tucked in between these was my qualifier for US Amateur in Colorado, and this was the second time in two years that I’ve travelled to the USA for tournaments.
Last time I came to America the standard of tournaments that we had was very different to the ones that I have just played in. I think that’s the most critical learning for me; the quality of the field, the difficulty of the golf course, the scale of the tournament and the pressure it creates is what is needed for me to really develop to the next level.
Over the past couple of months weeks, I went from Texas to California, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Michigan, Ohio Maryland, Minnesota, passing through a dozen more states.
I played some of the most iconic courses in tournament conditions including Torrey Pines, TPC Scottsdale, Firestone, Oakland hills, Congressional, Hazeltine amongst others. I tasted the highs of winning against the best and the lows of being humbled by the course many a times.
What is consistent across all of my exposure is the confidence that I have gained as a golfer which is invaluable. I’ve emerged out of these tournaments more confident of my ability to compete at the very top, more aware of where my gaps are and most importantly I am now more convinced as to which factors to prioritise. I focused entirely on technique, put now it’s is mind, body, technique.
On securing a spot at the US Amateur Championship…
For the first year, USGA has changed the qualifying process to a two-step qualifiers. I had been exempt from the first leg that meant that I would be playing the very best in stage two.
I played the best round of my life at the Columbine Country Club in Colorado to win the final leg as a medallist with an outstanding score of three under 69 at a 7300 yards course against a very tough field.
The whole spectre of playing the US Amateur, a tournament won thrice by Tiger and by the greats of golf was extremely exciting for me. Equally exciting was the fact that I would be travelling to Hazeltine in Minnesota, the site of the recent 2016 Ryder Cup.
On competing against the very best…
The first leg was to be played over two rounds at 6800 par 70 Chaska Tour Course, followed by a gruesome 7550 yards par 72 Hazeltine. A brutal test of golf at both courses.
I nearly played myself out of the tournament in the first six holes on day one, going six over through six. However, I came back strong with an eagle and a birdie to close the day at 74.
Day two at Hazeltine I started strong with two birdies on the front nine. I was one over through nine and knew I needed at least two birdies to make the cut. This is where I got really desperate and made some bad mistakes on a very tough course.
While Hazeltine was playing at 7550 yards, accuracy was really critical. It paid off as long as I didn’t chase the distance I didn’t have. In the end, there were a lot of learnings for me while playing with some of the biggest names in the amateur world. Patience is key. Bad holes will come and you have to stay calm through them.
I was completely drained, sad and angry after shooting a 74 on day one of US Amateur. While tired I went to the putting green in the evening to find Miles Russell, the 15-year-old who recently played on the PGA Tour, who was also practicing there. He was practicing while laughing and joking around with his coach. I went back to find that he also played a 74 just like me, yet his attitude was very different from mine. I came back to finish 74 from six over and was sad, while he was focused and relaxed. A big learning. Thanks, Miles.
On what he’s learned, as well as what’s next…
All and all, I’m really thrilled to have played at the biggest tournament and the toughest field of my life. For next year the target is to make it to these big tournaments and enter the winning circle.
What I’m focused on is the kind of exposure I have gained, playing against the top international golfers, looking at their planning, the skill, and course management. That’s what I am building on. Shot by shot, where can I improve? And while I will continue to work on my game and my body, my single biggest focus is to work on the mental side of my game. That’s where the difference stands between good and truly elite players. With that said, I’m really confident for my final year as a junior.
