Dubai’s Rayhan Thomas is set to compete in the 72-hole Final Stage of the PGA Tour Qualifying School, presented by Korn Ferry, in Florida this week.

Rayhan Thomas, a 25-year-old golfer from Dubai, is determined to secure a PGA Tour card after finishing his opening round at level-par 70 in Ponte Vedra, Florida. He is currently tied for 30th place among 171 players and understands the importance of improving his ball-striking to climb the leaderboard. "I had a decent first round today, especially as it was windy and cold, in fact, a bit of a grind for us all out there," he told Khaleej Times. "I just need to hit the ball better to score better, going forward."

Thomas’s second round on Friday will be played at the Dye-Valley Course, which he considers slightly more scoreable than the other course, but still a tough challenge. "The weather forecast says it will be even more windy, so it is going to be another tough day – but I am prepared and ready," he added.

Only 29 players managed to break par on a challenging day. The event is held across two demanding courses—Sawgrass Country Club and TPC Sawgrass Dye’s Valley—requiring precision and consistency. All players will complete 72 holes with no cuts in play.

Leading the pack is 28-year-old Corey Shaun (USA), who set a new course record with a remarkable nine-under-par 61 at Dye’s Valley. Shaun holds a five-stroke lead over American Richy Werenski, who posted a 66 to sit in second place.

With 25 PGA Tour cards up for grabs, Rayhan aims to elevate his game and secure a top finish. A former member of Dubai Creek Resort, now representing The Els Club, Dubai, Rayhan started on tee 10 and had an uneven start with bogeys on holes 10 and 13, followed by a birdie on hole 14, making the turn at one over par 36. Birdies on holes 1 and 2 brought him into red figures, but a bogey on his final hole, number 9, saw him finish at level-par.

According to PGA Tour stats, Thomas was tied 78th in Driving Accuracy (8/14), tied 131st in Greens in Regulation (8/18), tied 1st in Sand Saves (2/2), and tied 9th in Putts per GIR (1.63). The top 5 players and ties will earn their 2025 PGA Tour Cards, while the next 40 players and ties will secure Korn Ferry Tour Membership. The remaining field will earn Conditional Status for both the Korn Ferry Tour and the PGA Tour Americas.

The 72-hole tournament will conclude on Sunday, 15th December, 2024.

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