Al Musharrekh exits Abu Dhabi Championship with mixed emotions

Joy Chakravarty 12:56 17/01/2015
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  • Always next year: Ahmed Al Musharrekh.

    Ahmed Al Musharrekh was left disappointed with his quick exit from the Abu Dhabi Championship, but the 24-year-old can still sense progress in his game.

    Al Musharrekh, the only Emirati professional golfer, missed the cut in his fourth attempt at the $2.7 million (Dhs 9.9 million) European Tour event, but felt his scores of 78 and 77 did not reflect the development he has made over the last few months.

    While his 11-over par total was seven shots better than his efforts the past two times he played on the National course, it was nowhere near what Al Musharrekh had in his mind for this year’s championship.

    “Unfortunately, I missed the cut. I did not get the result that I wanted. I wanted to make the cut this year. But there is always a next tournament,” said the Sharjah-based player who is supported by ADCB and Jaermann & Stubi.

    “I believe that a player is definitely just not the numbers on the scorecard. Just because the scores weren’t there, that does not mean anything about myself as a golfer, or the way I am playing, or my technique.”

    Al Musharrekh felt the biggest problem he faced this week was the speed of the greens.

    “I’m definitely not happy about my putting. I played the MENA Tour and the greens were much slower there, whereas the greens here are rolling very fast, so there’s a huge difference there as far as pace is concerned,” he said.

    “Greens are not usually like this when you practice anywhere, so that’s a big thing that I need to learn how to adapt to.”

    He added: “It’s just about learning how to play when I’m not 100 per cent. That’s what I’m going through right now. When I’m on, I’m on and I go.

    “But sometimes, if I’m a bit off on one part of my game, everything else crumbles. That comes with experience and I’m excited about the future.”

    Al Musharrekh will potentially be taking the mandatory, nine-month military service this year and is unsure about what the future holds golf-wise.

    He added: “That is something necessary. It will take me away from the game for nine months, but I will have to do it. I think I will do it from March, but I haven’t completely decided on it as yet.”

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