Teenage golfer Rayhan Thomas will see “a dream come true” when he takes part in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic alongside the likes of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy next month.
Thomas, 17, earned his place at Emirates Golf Club by being the Mena Tour’s leading amateur, and will be joined by Order of Merit winner Craig Hinton.
Fellow Mena Tour members Luke Joy and Zane Scotland also earned their places at the Dubai Desert Classic by finishing second and third respectively in the Order of Merit. While Thomas and Hinton will be making their debuts, Joy and Scotland have both competed at the event before.
Thomas, who is based in the UAE and is currently ranked India’s No 1 amateur player, has also received an invite to play at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
“Playing in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic will be nothing short of a dream come true,” Thomas said. “I am looking forward to the new challenge. It will be a great learning curve.
“I am still young. The more I can learn, the better — I love the game and I want to be the best one day.”
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Read more
■ Ticket info: Ticket prices for the Dubai Desert Classic
■ Rory McIlroy: Exclusive interview with the world No 2
■ Tiger Woods: Confirmed for Dubai Desert Classic
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As well as 14-time major champion Woods and world No 2 McIlroy, the Dubai Desert Classic will feature British Open champion Henrik Stenson and US Masters winner Danny Willett.
“I’m feeling very excited to be playing alongside such a world-class field,” said Hinton, who topped the 2016 Mena Tour Order of Merit after two wins and seven top-10s, including two runner-up finishes.
“I am quite confident if I play to my potential I can post good results. I will just play my own game and see what that leads to,”
“The (Mena) Tour is a perfect platform for players looking for opportunities to put their careers on the wing. It is the fastest growing golf tour in the world, one that offer plenty of incentives, including multiple starts on the European Tour and the Sunshine Tours.”
Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi has welcomed the addition of the Mena Tour players to the tournament and believes their participation in Dubai will only benefit their careers.
“It’s a big moment for the Mena Tour players and I am confident that they will be quite eager to give a good account of themselves as they have earned these invitations through hard-work they put in during the season,” he said.
“The intention behind inviting the top MENA Golf Tour players to the Omega Dubai Desert Classic is to provide them with playing opportunities at the highest level to fast-track their careers.”
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The specs
Engine: 2.2-litre, turbodiesel
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Power: 160hp
Torque: 385Nm
Price: Dh116,900
On sale: now
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
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Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
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Results
4pm: Maiden; Dh165,000 (Dirt); 1,400m
Winner: Solar Shower; William Lee (jockey); Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
4.35pm: Handicap; Dh165,000 (D); 2,000m
Winner: Thaaqib; Antonio Fresu; Erwan Charpy.
5.10pm: Maiden; Dh165,000 (Turf); 1,800m
Winner: Bila Shak; Adrie de Vries; Fawzi Nass
5.45pm: Handicap; Dh175,000 (D); 1,200m
Winner: Beachcomber Bay; Richard Mullen; Satish Seemar
6.20pm: Handicap; Dh205,000 (T); 1,800m
Winner: Muzdawaj; Jim Crowley; Musabah Al Muhairi
6.55pm: Handicap; Dh185,000 (D); 1,600m
Winner: Mazeed; Tadhg O’Shea; Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Handicap; Dh205,000 (T); 1,200m
Winner: Riflescope; Tadhg O’Shea; Satish Seemar.
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