Rayhan Thomas has savoured another priceless practice round experience ahead of his fourth European Tour start in his “home” Hero Indian Open.

The 17-year-old Dubai born Indian amateur savoured 18-holes Tuesday with Australian Brett Rumford who is fresh from capturing the new World Super 6 Perth title in mid February.

After teeing it up with defending champion Rickie Fowler in Abu Dhabi and Indian No.1 Anirban Lahiri and reigning U.S. Masters champion Danny Willett in Dubai earlier this year, the chance to witness Rumford’s wedge wizardry at close quarters was invaluable as he continues his big time golf education.

“Brett Rumford has one of the best short games in the world and to be watching him hit some chips and some irons shots, it was just fantastic, so enjoyed that,” Thomas told Golf Digest Middle East ahead of the $1.75m event which is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour.

Thomas will tee it up alongside Portugal’s José-Filipe Lima and Frenchman Damien Perrier in the first round at 11.30am (India time/10am UAE time) on Thursday and will need his short game in good order if his initial impressions of DLF Golf & Country Club in New Delhi are any indication.

“The course is in fantastic shape, I mean this is one of the best courses I’ve played in India. It’s a very tricky, slopey course,” said Thomas who also enjoyed six tune-up holes alongside India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar on Tuesday.

“You need to be very focused on every shot cause you can’t let one shot go because you’ll end up making a very high score. It’s a very challenging course but its a fantastic lay-out, the greens are running superb, very slopey, a lot of tricky pin positions but there are still some birdies to be made out there.”

After making his first European Tour cut in Dubai, there is great interest in Thomas’ progress in New Delhi but the world amateur No. 98 and Indian amateur No.1 is just determined to make the most of his sponsors’ invite.

“I’m not putting any expectations on myself. If I make the cut, if I miss the cut, if I finish top 10, don’t finish top 10, I’m not going to let it weigh down on me.

“For this week it’s pretty much just play good golf. As long as I learn something from the week I’ll be happy.”