Ahmed Marjan to play with Darren Clarke in Ras Al Khaimah Classic

Sport360 staff 07:26 02/11/2015
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  • Great opportunity: Ahmed Marjan.

    Ahmed Marjan hopes words of encouragement from Darren Clarke will spur him to a successful title defence at the Ras Al Khaimah Classic which starts at Tower Links Golf Club on Monday.

    The young Moroccan will enjoy a front row seat as he is paired with the 2016 European Ryder Cup captain, along with the club’s head professional Simon Payne, for the opening two rounds.

    Marjan knows what it takes to win a MENA Golf Tour event, having achieved the feat last year at this venue for the defining moment of his career — and that of Arab golf.

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    “All I need is a good solid round under my belt to get my confidence back. My game is a grind at the moment, having missed the cut in the last few events, but I am upbeat and focused,” said the 22-year-old Marjan, the first Arab golfer to win on the tour.

    “Playing with a player of the stature of Darren will also offer me a rare opportunity to iron out some of the kinks in my game.”

    Clarke, who is the Patron of the MENA Golf Tour, also sees his maiden appearance on the tour as a great opportunity to meet and play alongside some of the finest talent from the region and share his vast experience.

    “I’ve seen and done most of the things at this stage of my career, and it will be nice to give back,” said the 42-year-old Ulsterman who has won 22 tournaments worldwide in addition to featuring in seven Ryder Cups, five as a player and two as a vice-captain.

    With 2011 Open champion Clarke headlining the championship, the MENA Golf Tour event underscores Ras Al Khaimah’s growing reputation as one of the emerging golf destinations in the region.

    “Ras Al Khaimah boasts world-class golf courses, Hamra Golf Club and Tower Links Golf Club, and it is encouraging to see golfing legends such as Darren Clarke appreciate the unique landscape that the emirate has to offer,” said Haitham Mattar, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority.

    Meanwhile. Lee Corfield has enlivened the Order of Merit race with his victory at last week’s Ghala Open as just $1,000 separate the top four heading into this, the 10th and final event, before the cut is made for the season-ending championship.

    The 32-year-old Englishman has leapfrogged into third place with $17,207 in earnings for the season, just behind his compatriot Gary King ($17,588) and Scotland’s Paul Doherty ($17,366) with Sweden’s Per Barth ($16,316) sitting in solo fourth.

    The story is similar in the Amateur Division where India’s Rayhan Thomas (221 points) has narrowed down the gap on England’s James Allan (285) following his impressive showing at the Ghala Open with Morocco’s Ayoub Lguirati (190) lurking not far behind.

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