Luke Joy aims to regain winning ways on ‘home course’ in Abu Dhabi
ABU DHABI: With two runner-up finishes in three weeks setting optimistic wheels spinning, Luke Joy will be hoping a victory is just around the corner when the MENA Golf Tour travels to award-winning Yas Links course for the first time for the Ascorp Golf Citizen Abu Dhabi Open on Monday.
Playing on his “home course” will further add to the confidence of a player who boasts two wins on the tour, but agonizingly fell short of adding more silverwares to his cache this season, losing the Dubai Creek Open and the Golf Citizen Classic in playoffs.
The 28-year-old Englishman will looking to put that heartache behind him when he joins a strong field that features 14 winners on the tour, including Spain’s Carlos Balmaseda, who denied him the title last week with an eagle at the third extra hole.
“The goal is to eventually get into contention week in and week out and start winning golf tournaments. I feel like I am in the zone and I have the self-belief in my game which is the key,” said the Abu Dhabi-based Englishman who is attached to Yas Links.
“I am pretty familiar with conditions at Yas Links, but still you have to execute your shots and play as well as you can since the standard of golf on the MENA Golf is very high,” said Joy, who turned professional in 2012. Lining up as potential roadblocks to Joy’s quest for glory are many, including his fellow w Englishmen Zane Scotland, Lee Corfield and Andrew Marshall, all multiple winners of the tour, and Balmaseda who will be looking to make it two in a row.
With two wins in three weeks, including one on the Spanish Pro tour, Balmaseda can expect another good result if he is able to carry the same form into Yas Links
“I will definitely try and give my best shot and see where that leaves me,” said the 44-year Spaniard who is also a MENA Golf Tour ambassador.
With runaway leader Rayhan Thomas of India sitting out of the event to prepare for the Asia Pacific Championship in Seoul early next month, the amateur division could see Matias Calderon of Chile, Daniel Hendry of Scotland and Brazil’s Tiago Lobo lock in an intense duel for honors.
Younes El Hassani is backing himself for a strong showing after missing the cut last week and extend the lead over his compatriot on the MENA Division Order of Merit while Saudi Arabia’s Othman Almulla will again start as a firm favorite to win the region’s leading amateur prize for the third time on the trot.
However, the venue that presents the “kind of challenges golfers the world over dream about” could provide a gruelling test of nerves.
Designed by Kyle Phillips, the first Links golf course in the Middle East region, Yas Links Abu Dhabi was ranked No. 1 in the Middle East by Golf Digest this year and 46th in the world.
“We are extremely excited to have this opportunity to host the first MENA Golf f Tour event at our course,” said Howie Roberts, general manager at Yas Links $ $ $ $ $ Abu Dhabi.
“We will strive to deliver a memorable week for its members,” he said, adding: “Events like this will further stimulate interest in golf and turn the region into a golfing force.”
Mohamed Juma Buamaim, chairman of the MENA Golf Tour, thanked the Ascorp management and the players for their continued support to the tour.
“Yas Links Abu Dhabi is a welcome addition to our host venues and we look forward to working closely with them to ensure the event is successful.”