Dubai-born golfer Rayhan Thomas expresses his enthusiasm for returning to competitive golf as he prepares to participate in the Asian Tour’s $2 million International Series (IS) England at Foxhills on Thursday. The 24-year-old, who recently turned professional, was invited to the event after his impressive performance, tying for 8th place in the previous IS event in Morocco last month. Several golfers with ties to Dubai will also be competing in the four-day tournament.

“I am prepared for the first round,” Rayhan told Khaleej Times. “I recently played an 18-hole practice round with my friend Saud Al Sharif from the Saudi National Amateur Team. I am satisfied with my game, though I need to improve my wedge shots and chipping.” Regarding the course, Rayhan commented, “The Longcross Course at Foxhills is a true driver’s course, which has always been one of my strengths. However, accuracy is crucial here.” He continued, “Missing the greens makes it challenging to judge shots around the greens. Overall, the greens are excellent, and the weather is fantastic. It was a relief to escape the summer heat in Dubai for the cooler temperatures of England. I am eager to hold a scorecard again on Thursday.”

The International Series is the fourth event in a series of ten during the 2024 season on the Asian Tour. For the first round, Rayhan will tee off at 6.30 am (local UK time) from Tee 10 alongside Chen Guxin (China) and Jake Sowden (Am), the recent winner of England Golf’s England Men’s Under 25’s Championship. Other competitors with Dubai connections include Gaganjeet Bhullar (Ind), Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind), and Anirban Lahiri (Ind). The 156-player field also features notable names such as Harold Varner III, Peter Uihlein (US), Andy Sullivan (Eng), Michael Block (US), Branden Grace (RSA), Thomas Pieters (Bel), Jason Korak (US), Richard Bland (Eng), and the current leader in the Asian Tour International Series Order of Merit, John Catlin.

At the conclusion of the season, following the ten International Series events on the Asian Tour, the winner of the IS Asian Tour’s Order of Merit will secure a place in the 2025 LIV Golf League. Last year, Andy Ogletree (US) won this IS event in England at Close House and also claimed the Asian Tour’s 2023 IS Order of Merit, subsequently playing in the LIV Golf League as part of the Hy-Flyers GC, captained by Phil Mickelson.