Ahmed Al Musharrekh aiming to make history in Abu Dhabi

Amateur hoping to become first Emirati to make cut at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship

Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Ahmed Al Musharrekh, the top ranked amateur in the United Arab Emirates, will bid to become the first Emirati to make the cut at the Abu Dhabi Championship this week.

Al Musharrekh, 21, also studying for a degree in Business Management at the American University of Dubai, was handed an invitation by tournament sponsor Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.

The youngster was the highest ranked Emirati on the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) Tour last season. In 2010, he competed as an amateur in the same tournament, narrowly missing the cut.

This year, however, his aspirations are much higher: "My goal is to make the cut and if i do I'll be doing my best to move up the leaderboard and really compete. My game has improved a lot in the past few years and I am a lot more confident of making the cut and getting my place in the history books."

He is rightfully thrilled to be playing in a tournament with a truly world class entry list. Former world number one and 14-time major winner Tiger Woods will be joined by defending champion Martin Kaymer and world number one Luke Donald, amongst various others from golf's elite.

Al Musharrekh considers it an honour and privilege to be playing in such a prestigious event.

"It really is an amazing opportunity to be playing in this tournament," he said. I just want to play freely and enjoy the experience. Some of the greatest players in the history of the world are playing."

 

Nick Bonfield
Features Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x