Today's Edition
Abu Dhabi (Aletihad)
The UAE’s No.1 professional golfer, Joshua Grenville-Wood, is looking to capitalise on home advantage when the second edition of the UAE Challenge at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club takes place from April 25-28.
The 26-year-old, who began representing the UAE and the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) last year, is no stranger to the challenge the Gary Player-designed masterpiece poses having made the UAE his home five years ago.
He finished in a share of 18th at last year’s edition of the tournament, hot on the heels of his runner-up finish at the inaugural Abu Dhabi Challenge, and hopes to build on that this week, as he targets a first professional victory on the Challenge Tour.
“I know this course pretty well now, I play here a couple of times a month,” said Grenville-Wood, who is 21st on the Road to Mallorca Rankings.
“I’d like to think I have a pretty big advantage, especially with how slopey the greens are and knowing the right place to hit it and the right place to miss it. It’s a different type of golf course to what we played in Al Ain. It was bit more of a putt-fest last week, whereas you’ve kind of got to hit it pretty well around here to shoot a good score.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge more this week, knowing that I can take advantage of my ball striking a little bit more and pick up some more shots.”
If Grenville-Wood is to win a first professional title, he will need to bring his ‘A’ game with this week’s field featuring a bucketload of DP World Tour winners, including Alvaro Quiros, Alex Levy, David Horsey, Chris Wood, John Catlin and Gary Stal, who boast 23 victories between them on golf’s Global Tour. Then there will be Garrick Porteous, who is hungry for more after winning the first part of the Abu Dhabi Challenge in Al Ain last week, his first win in seven years and a second Challenge Tour title in his career. The Englishman moved to Dubai in September and should be among ones to watch out for at the links course in Abu Dhabi.
Garrick Porteous discusses:
— Challenge Tour (@Challenge_Tour) April 24, 2024
His win at Al Ain last week 🏆
Preparing for the UAE Challenge 🇦🇪
Blustery conditions and undulating greens at Saadiyat 💨#UAEChallenge | @AbuDhabiSC | @EGFuaegolf pic.twitter.com/2Pd8E9YA13
They will be joined by a whole host of the game’s next generation of talent, including Road to Mallorca No.1 Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, while several UAE-based amateurs will also be competing thanks to the EGF’s long-term partnership with the European Tour.
As part of that agreement, the EGF received 60 invitations across last week’s Abu Dhabi Challenge and the UAE Challenge to help create playing opportunities and provide a pathway for UAE golfers.
Local amateurs featuring this week include UAE national team players Ahmad Skaik, the country’s No.1 amateur, Sam Mullane and Jonathan Selvaraj.
Major tournament winners on the EGF’s Order of Merit have also received an invite and come in the form of Thomas Stephenson, Sam Mukherjee, Raghav Gulati, Khaled Walid Attieh and Oscar Craig, the stepson of Tommy Fleetwood, the Challenge Tour’s No.1 in 2011.
“It’s been one of those years where I’ve been taking it step by step,” said Stephenson, who won the Men’s Open at Jumeirah Golf Estates to secure his place in the field.
“I wanted to win the Club Championship, I did that, and then after that I was like ‘right, I want to win the Men’s Open now’ and I’ve done that. Then, getting on the Challenge Tour, I want to compete, and not just make up the numbers really. I’m here with the intention to win even though I’m an amateur.
“It’s my first time playing in a pro event. I’m really excited about it, to be honest. My boss is caddying for me who’s an avid golfer as well, so we’ll have a nice few days hopefully.”
Enthusiasts can attend the event for free.
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