Rayhan Thomas can't lose at Junior Presidents Cup

The Dubai teen will rub shoulders with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player in New Jersey

By Kent Gray
Regardless of personal results and the overall outcome of the matches, Rayhan Thomas knows he can’t lose at the inaugural Junior Presidents Cup.

Whatever transpires at Plainfield C.C. in New Jersey on Sept. 25-26, the Dubai teen already has a place etched in history as the very first No.1 for the youth International team.

The 17-year-old Indian earned that distinction courtesy of a giddy 12-month run to a career high 50th placing in the amateur world rankings, highlighted by his 2016 Scottish Boys’ victory, an historic maiden MENA Tour title (he was the first amateur to win on the developmental circuit at his home Dubai Creek Open last September) and a memorable run to the semifinals of the recent U.S. Junior Amateur.

“The Presidents Cup will be the biggest milestone so far and to be the No.1 international pick means a lot. It just shows all the hard work I’ve put in to get to this point has paid off,” said Thomas. “I know the competition from the US side is going to be very strong but hopefully we can play our hearts out and bag the victory.”

As important to Thomas is to be a sponge given the calibre of leadership on hand. Trevor Immelman, the 2008 Masters champion, will captain the Internationals and has Gary Players as his honourary assistant. The U.S. team, lead by U.S. Junior Am champion Noah Goodwin, are captained by 2001 U.S. PGA champion David Toms and have Jack Nicklaus mirroring Player’s role.

“Just to be around guys that have won multiple times on tour, major winners, some of the greatest players who have ever played the game, it’s going to be huge for my game,” said Thomas. “Just to pick their brains, to try and learn more about how to play on tour and how they handle their business is going to be key for me.”

Thomas will use the defence of his Dubai Creek Open title from Sept. 11-13 as Presidents Cup prep. He’ll stay on in New Jersey for at least the first day of the senior Presidents Cup at nearby Liberty National (Sept. 26-Oct 1) which will undoubtedly provide further inspiration for his next challenge, the Asia Pacific Amateur Championship at Royal Wellington in New Zealand from Oct. 26-29.

“To be part of a team event of this magnitude, it just shows I have what it takes to compete against some of the best U18s in the world. But I’ve still got another year in my junior golf game and still hope to bring a lot of other milestones with that.”