Rayhan eyes a good show
Rayhan Thomas, the highest-ever ranked Indian in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, at 17th currently, is all excited to come back to India for the 2019 Hero Indian open next week.
The 18-year-old Dubai based Indian, who is due to join Oklahoma State University later this year, feels that he is ready for a solid performance before he moves to the US for college golf. “I have played the event before, and feel that my game is in the right place to do well,” said Thomas, who has been hailed by the likes of Rickie Fowler and Rory McIlroy, who have played with him at the Dubai Desert Classic in recent years.
Thomas has been given one of the amateur spots to the storied event, which is now in its 55th edition.
Thomas, who has been ranked as high as No. 12 in the world, was also a silver medallist at the star-studded Asia Pacific Amateur Championships in Singapore last year.
“That performance and playing with pros in events in the Middle East and MENA Tour has given me immense confidence,” he said.
Thomas joins a star-studded group of amateurs at the Oklahoma State University this season. Two of his new teammates are in the Top-5 as of this week, including Viktor Hovland at No. 2 and Matthew Wolff at third, while Austin Eckroat is at 24.
JAZZ LEADS THAI CHALLENGE Merit leader Jazz Janewattananond hopes to get lucky in his third attempt at tackling the challenging DLF Golf and Country Club when he heads to the Hero Indian Open next week.
The 23-year-old Thai has been riding on a rich vein of form, claiming his third Asian Tour title at the season-opener in Singapore in January and finishing inside the top-10 on six other occasions in his last nine starts on the Asian Tour.
He will spearhead the strong Thai challenge, which will be a major force to be reckoned with, alongside Tour winners Poom Saksansin, Tirawat Kaewsiribandit, Panuphol Pittayarat and veteran Prayad Marksaeng at the US$1.75 million event.
“It’s a tough course, everyone knows that. It’s a beast, very narrow and tough, so I’ll be happy to even just make the cut this time,” said Jazz, whose best finish at the event came in 2016 where he finished tied15th on a different course.