Joshua White, fresh off a creditable performance in the inaugural DUBAi Open, the new Asian Tour event, will spearhead the MENA Golf Tour challenge in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club later this month.
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The 23-year-old, who topped the tour rankings in 2014, won plaudits for a mature performance in his maiden Asian Tour event, finishing in a tie for 24th on seven-under to set himself up well for his debut in a European Tour event.
The Englishman will be joined by fellow countrymen and MENA Golf Tour members Luke Joy, Zane Scotland and James Allan as the top three professionals. The leading amateur from their respective Order of Merit rankings have been given direct entry into the main draw which will be headlined by defending champion Stephen Gallacher and world No2 Henrik Stenson among other big names.
“I think my biggest takeaway from the DUBAi Open was an increased confidence in my ability to play golf at any level. I didn’t really feel any pressure and it was just nice to come out and play with some of the big names,” said White.
“I played well most of the time throughout the 2014 season. Spots in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic are the biggest incentive for the MENA Golf Tour players. And it’s very pleasing to achieve that.
“A lot of the players on the MENA Golf Tour are all very good. When they are on their day, they are as good as players on any other tour,” added White, who played the first two round of the DUBAi Open with India’s SSP Chowrasia and Singapore’s Mardan Mamat, both winners on the European Tour, and managed to better their scores.
“That shows my confidence. All thanks to the MENA Golf Tour, we have been getting opportunities to play in big tournaments.”
Also making his first appearance on the Omega Dubai Desert Classic will be Joy, who secured two wins and a second place on his debut on the MENA Golf Tour in 2014.
“I think the MENA Golf Tour is going to be very big in the next few years. The structure is great and organisation just fantastic. Where else can you get the opportunity to play in world-class events like the DUBAi Open and the Omega Dubai Desert Classic? If I continue to play the way I did on the tour, I think I stand a good chance of posting a good finish,” said Joy.
And Scotland, who will be making his third appearance in the Desert Classic through MENA Golf Tour, added: “There are good players on every tour now and wherever we win a tournament, it’s a confidence boost. We must be doing things right if we get the results.”
