Ahmed Marjane will be hoping he can continue his good form this season and post a strong finish when he makes his debut on the Asian Tour in the King’s Cup in Thailand later this week.
The 22-year-old Moroccan created history last month, becoming the first Arab golfer to win a MENA Golf Tour event since its inception in 2011, a feat he achieved at the Ras Al Khaimah Classic by beating a strong international field.
Riding on his breakthrough victory, Marjane finished seventh on the 2014 Order of Merit – and second in the MENA Division just behind his compatriot Faycal Serghini. A creditable performance indeed from a young man tipped to carry the mantle for the next generation of golfers from the MENA region.
Marjane’s achievement opened several playing opportunities, and one of them is an invitation to play in the King’s Cup.
Marjane, who graduated to the professional ranks after winning the MENA Golf Tour’s Amateur Order of Merit title in the inaugural edition of the tour in 2011, said: “The MENA Golf Tour has been the catalyst for putting Arab golf on the international sporting map. People now know we play golf and we are good at it.
“It will be my first visit to Thailand, but I know I can be as competitive as anyone in the field. A good showing will be a good advertisement for the rising standards of the game in our region.”
Marjan will also compete in the Dubai Open, the Asian Tour’s final event of 2014, which will be played at The Els Club Dubai in December.
The prestigious King’s Cup returns to the Singha Park Khon Kaen Golf Club in Khon Kaen, northeast of Bangkok, from Friday until Sunday, featuring a strong field which includes the likes of India’s Anirban Lahiri, Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand, Scott Hend of Australia and Steve Lewton of England.
Mohamed Juma Buamaim, chairman of the MENA Golf Tour, thanked the King’s Cup officials for extending a sponsor’s invitation to Marjane.
“A new generation of Arab golfers is on the rise as reflected in their performance on the MENA Golf Tour this year. All they need is a good competitive environment to take their golf to the next level,” he said. “Ahmed’s prominence will further stimulate the growth of golf in the region and inspire youngsters to take up the sport. Whatever the outcome, one thing is sure: Ahmed will certainly return home richer in experience. I wish him the very best.”
Meanwhile, the inaugural Dubai Open on the Asian Tour has been hailed by Indian stars Jeev Milkha Singh and Shiv Kapur.
The tournament will be played at The Els Club Dubai next month, and two-time Asian Tour No1 Singh believes the new event, which will be the final tournament of the 2014 season from December 18 to 21, is a wonderful addition on the region’s premier Tour.
“I’m very excited for the players and the Tour and I hope we have more tournaments coming up there. I’m looking forward to going to Dubai. My sponsor, ‘golf In DUBAi’, is promoting and organising the event and full marks to them and the Tour for creating this new tournament for us,” said Singh.
“I have a feeling that given the strong Asian expat population in the UAE, the Dubai Open will become a very successful tournament.”
Kapur, who holds one victory on the Asian Tour and won the European Challenge Tour Grand Final in the city last year, said: “Dubai is the place to be where all the golf action is happening, so to have the Asian Tour there now is obviously very good. It bodes well for the future and it’s a huge market. Hopefully, we can have multiple events there in the years to come.”
Singh, who has been ranked as high as 35th in the world, is keen to finish off his 2014 campaign on a strong note after a tough season where he has slipped down the world rankings. A series of injuries has not helped his cause but he is getting better.
“I love coming back to Asia, it’s given me a lot and I just love the Asian Tour and the camaraderie. It feels like home to me,” said Singh, a four-time winner on the European Tour.
“I’ve never played at The Els Club Dubai but I’ve heard it’s a fantastic golf course, so I’m looking forward to playing there.
“I have won tournaments in different parts of the world, but winning in Dubai would be special. Dubai is a fantastic place. I have always felt very good being there. In fact, I can call it a home away from home,” added Singh.
