The UAE’s No.1 golfer Ahmad Skaik is all set to continue his development this week at the Abu Dhabi Challenge, where the Emirati is preparing to battle the elements during the opening two rounds with strong winds likely to play a factor at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.
Skaik, who only recently returned from a long injury lay-off, made his Challenge Tour debut last week at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, shooting a one under par 71 before a second round 77 saw him miss the cut in the capital.
The two events are part of the European Tour group’s long-term partnership with the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF), which aims to develop golf in the United Arab Emirates for at least the next decade.
“I haven’t played a big event in almost a year, so it’s just about getting comfortable out there and over the ball, not overthinking,” said Skaik, who received one of the invites allocated to the EGF to help create playing opportunities and provide a pathway for Emirati golfers.
“So hopefully a few more events and I should be sharp.”
This week’s host venue, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, is hosting a European Tour group sanctioned event for the very first time, with the Gary Player-designed track set to offer a very different challenge to that of the National Course last week.
“It’s long as we’re playing off the tips, I think it’s playing close to 7700 yards,” he said.
“It’s also going to be windy on Thursday, so I’ve got to be patient and trust my abilities. Trust that I can hit good shots from long distances and take advantage of the par 5s and short par 4s if they are any!
“The greens are very slopey so if you miss the wrong spots, it’s difficult to make par. So just try to miss it in the right spots like and try and make ups and downs. Then it’s all about taking advantage of the simple pins.
“I need to stay patient, not try and force anything and just hit one shot at a time out there.”
Winds are expected to blow up to 40kmh at the Arabian Gulf’s first beachfront course on Thursday and Friday, verging of the conditions that battered Yas Links during the second round of last year’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
“It’s funny as it never seems to be windy in practice rounds, but on Thursday and Friday we’re expected to get quite a bit – it just comes out of nowhere,” said Skaik.
“I played in really tough conditions at Yas Links last year during the second round – hopefully it doesn’t get as bad as that as it’s not fun playing in those conditions. The more I play in these type of conditions, the more I can learn from it and the better I can become.
“I think I need to spend some more time in the UK to get truly comfortable with it!”
Skaik gets his opening round underway alongside Alejandro Canizares and Robin Roussel at 12.15 on Thursday.
