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UAE’s top-ranked golfer, Ahmed Skek, returned from a long-term injury and entered the tournament confidently after successfully defending his Presidents Cup title at this week’s host venue in March.
When the Abu Dhabi Challenge kicks off tomorrow at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club, a slew of Emirati players will line up for one of the most powerful Challenge Tour tournaments in recent history.
19 former DP World Tour champions and a combined 46 top-flight victories between them will kick off this week, including Stephen Gallagher, David Howell and Alvaro Queiroz.
They will go head-to-head against the UAE’s number one golfer, Ahmad Skaik, several members of the UAE national team and some UAE residents.
“That’s the beauty of the Challenge Tour, it gives local players the chance to rub shoulders with the latest crop,” said Gallagher, two-time winner of the Heroes Dubai Desert Classic, who hopes to regain his full playing privileges DP World Tour after losing his card last season.
“It can give them a little bit of hope and motivation to work as hard as they can and try to get out on the track. It’s obviously a stepping stone to the DP World Tour, so hopefully this event will give them motivation to work hard and emulate us things that are being done.”
The Abu Dhabi Challenge is the seventh race in this year’s global 2023 route to Mallorca, with a record prize money total and no less than 29 races, taking place in 18 different countries on three continents.
Ugo Coussaud is currently leading the standings after claiming his first Challenge Tour title at the KGA Challenge in Bengaluru, India last month.
“It’s a good feeling to be here, the weather is great, the pitch is in good shape, the layout is perfect,” the Frenchman said.
“Right now the game feels good, let’s see what happens in the next two weeks.”
Returning to the UAE for the first time since 2018, the Challenge Tour is part of a long-term partnership between the European Tour Group and the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF), which has allocated 30 places for UAE golfers and UAE residents.
Leading the way for the UAE will be Skaik, who has played numerous events on the DP World Tour schedule in recent years.
The UAE entered with confidence after returning from a long injury hiatus and successfully defended their Presidents Cup title this week in March.
“I’m excited, the game looks good,” said Skaik, who started his first round at 08:05 with Coussaud and Casey Jarvis.
“Guys like Hugo are guys that I want to play with regularly so I can learn from them and take my game to the next level. It’s an honor to play with him and I’ll be watching him closely for the first two rounds , learn as much as you can.”
Joining Skaik in the tournament was his brother Mohammad, as well as fellow Emirati Khalifa Al Masaood, Rashid Al Jassmy, Rashed Al Emadi, Rashed Al Naqbi and the UAE’s first-ever professional golfer, Ahmed Al Musharrekh.
Beyond that, many UAE residents will also be competing against future global stars, including local golf coach Louis Gaughan, who will be making his Challenge Tour debut.
The Abu Dhabi-based Scot won the Emirates PGA Championship last week to secure his place in the Abu Dhabi Challenge and will now look to make the most of that opportunity.
“It’s fantastic and I’m really looking forward to it,” he said. “It was my first time at a tournament of this size. I didn’t have any expectations. I’d normally be working and teaching golf, so it was a nice change to get out and play.”
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