Smith and Walker keen to lock horns in Ras Al Khaimah

Sport360 staff 04:20 15/10/2016
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  • Exciting venue: Al Hamra Golf Club.

    Jordan Smith and Sam Walker, the top two players in the 2016 European Challenge Tour’s Road to Oman, are looking forward to strengthening their positions by putting on a spectacular show at the inaugural Ras Al Khaimah 2016 Golf Challenge.

    The penultimate event on the European Challenge Tour season will be held at Al Hamra Golf Club from October 26-29.

    Smith, who leads the Road to Oman standings, already has a Challenge Tour win to his name this season, at the Red Sea Egyptian Challenge. The 23-year-old Englishman consolidated his position with a second place finish in the recent Kazakhstan Open, where he finished runner-up to compatriot Walker.

    “I am really looking forward to it,” said Smith. “I have never been to that part of the world before, so I am very excited to experience the culture of Ras Al Khaimah. I can’t wait to play the course either as I have heard a lot of good things about it.”

    The 38-year-old Walker believes his win in Kazakhstan, his second victory of the season, gives him the perfect springboard to test Smith as the Challenge Tour leaders prepare for a shoot-out at Al Hamra Golf Club.

    “It is a new venue for the Challenge Tour and because of where it is located I think it will be one of the best places we’ve played at all season,” said Walker. “I have only heard good things about the course and although I haven’t been there myself, I am really excited to go.”

    Sponsored by the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), the Ras Al Khaimah 2016 Golf Challenge will gather a field of 105 players from 16 nations in a battle for a $350,000 (Dh1.285m) prize purse.

    “International events of this stature cement our vision as an emerging golf destination,” said Haitham Mattar, CEO of RAKTDA.

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