Rayhan Thomas wins Scottish Boys’ Open Stroke Play

Sport360 staff 09:21 23/07/2016
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  • Champion: Rayhan Thomas.

    Dubai-based Rayhan Thomas, the rising MENA Golf Tour star and UAE’s No. 1 amateur, showcased his immense talent once again, winning the weather-hit Scottish Boys’ Open Stroke Play title at Lanark.

    At the 25th oldest golf club in the world, the 16-year-old Thomas, who is supported by the Sheikh Maktoum Golf Foundation, defeated Australia’s Ben Ferguson at the second play-off hole with a par after the pair finished tied at the top on five-under.

    Thomas, who plays off a plus-two handicap, had his chances to seal the deal in regulation play, but a bogey on the closing par-3 hole extended his wait in an event which was reduced to 54 holes after lightning storms forced cancellation of play on Wednesday.

    “This is a good event to win as Scotland has some of the best under-18 players,” said Thomas, who is currently on a five-week tour of the UK which culminates with the 90th Boys’ Amateur Championship, the R&A-organised tour- nament which takes place at the fabled Muirfield from August 11.

    “It’s too hot to play in Dubai in the summer so I thought why not try Scotland? This is one of the biggest events I’ve won. I also won the Qatar Amateur in January and went on to play in the Qatar Masters on the European Tour which was a great experience.”

    Thomas is currently ranked 520th in the Amateur World Ranking, and this result is expected to take him closer to 400.

    Last week at the Scottish Youths Open Championship, which was played at Kittocks Course in Fairmont St Andrews, Thomas had finished tied-11th, despite having started the tournament with a poor opening round of 74.

    Thomas opened with a one-under 69 and backed it up with a neat 66, which was highlighted by three birdies on the bogey-free front nine, before forcing a play-off with a final round 70.

    “This win shows I am improving with every tournament and that makes me feel proud,” said Thomas, a two-time runner-up on the MENA Golf Tour.

    “I’ve been playing quite well on the MENA Golf Tour and that has added to my confidence. I am doing a lot of good work to make sure everything is in good shape,” said Thomas.

    Congratulating Thomas on his victory, Mohamed Juma Buamaim, chairman of the MENA Golf Tour, said: “Rayhan’s achievement speaks volumes of his immense talent and temperament.

    “I am confident his win will motivate emerging youngsters, especially from the MENA region, to work hard on their game and make a name for themselves.

    “Our aim is to encourage young talent who have shown great prom- ise by producing some really good performances on the MENA Golf Tour and will continue to do so.

    “I wish him the very the best and hope Rayhan has a great future ahead of him.”

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