Rayhan Thomas has announced his next step in up in his golfing career, by announcing he is entering the paid ranks of golf and turning professional.
A previous household name in the Middle East’s amateur golfing scene, the now 24-year-old has a plethora of accomplishments under his belt within the region that he can look fondly back on.
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In 2016 Thomas created history by becoming the first Amateur to win on the MENA Tour at his home course in the Dubai Creek Open at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club.
The following year, aged just 17, he equalled a world record nine consecutive birdies, before finishing runner-up in the prestigious Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in 2018 at Sentosa Golf Club, recent venue to LIV Golf Singapore.
Read more:
Watch Rayhan Thomas seal his world and course record-equalling MENA Tour round
Rayhan’s Dubai Creek legacy literally set in stone
Rayhan with the 11th edition of the King Hamad Trophy, Bahrain (2018)
Watch this throw back to 2016 when we got to know Rayhan more:
Since heading across the pond five years ago on a golf scholarship at Oklahoma State University (OSU). Dubai-born Thomas’ dreams and titles continued while following in the footsteps of fellow Cowboys Rickie Fowler and Matthew Wolff.
Thomas did struggle throughout 2023 though, after suffering with a stress fracture in his right hand that ruled him out of action. He did make a return to the United Arab Emirates in a partial golfing sense last December as he caddied for former OSU player, Zach Bauchou in the inaugural LIV Golf Promotions event at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, a gateway to LIV Golf League.
Rayhan signs off his amateur career with a 63rd finish in the PGA Tour University Class of 2023 Final Ranking, which was won by Ludvig Åberg unsurprisingly!
The first professional start for Thomas is set to be the PGA Tour Americas Qualifying commencing tomorrow, June 4th, with the top nine players securing a card for the rest of 2024. Before then heading to the Wichita Open on the Korn Ferry Tour, after winning the 2023 Grier Jones Shocker Invitational with a 16-under tournament total with rounds of 68, 67, 65.
Busy times ahead for Thomas, who although hasn’t spent much time of late back in the UAE, he hasn’t forgotten those successful years here.
“Growing up in the UAE was huge for me.
Rayhan with mentor Justin Parsons
“Golf in Dubai was blooming; the Claude Harmon III Performance Golf Academy (at The Els Club Dubai) was great for my development. I was coached by Justin Parsons there from the age of 12 and he remains a huge mentor to me.
“Dubai is still home. My parents still live there, and I love the place. I’ll definitely be back.”
Main Image: Getty Images
