Dubai-born golfer Rayhan Thomas is eagerly anticipating the support from his family and friends in India as he participates in the KGiSL Presents Coimbatore Open this week. The event, which begins on Wednesday and ends on Sunday, is a part of the Indian golf circuit. Rayhan, aged 24, has received a special invitation to join this Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) event, where he will compete with a field of 126 players for a share of the total prize money amounting to ₹1 Crore (AED 437,488).
“I am slightly fatigued after flying in from London on Sunday,” Rayhan shared with Khaleej Times. “Nonetheless, this event was always in my plans and it will keep me engaged in competitive golf.” He added, “The course is quite impressive and I had a chance to play a practice round on Monday. Having the support of my family and friends here in India makes it feel like a second home.”
Rayhan recently turned professional and participated in the Asian Tour’s International Series England at Foxhills last week, where he missed the cut by just one stroke, finishing with a 36-hole total of one over par 143. The PGTI, sponsored by Tata Steel and established in 2006, is the governing body for professional golf in India. It includes 25 sanctioned events on its 2024 calendar, such as the HERO Indian Open co-sanctioned with the DP World Tour, which was won by Keita Nakajima at DLF Golf & Country Club in March.
The KGiSL Presents Coimbatore Open is recognized by the DP World Tour and Asian Tour, and is affiliated with the International Federation of PGA Tours. The tournament is held at the Coimbatore Golf Club, where the course measures 6,540 yards and is set at a par 72. After the first two rounds, the top 50 players and those tied will advance to the final two rounds.
