Dubai native Rayhan Thomas is set to make his professional debut in the prestigious $1 million Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Wichita Open, held at Crestview Country Club in Wichita, Kansas, from June 13-15. This follows his impressive ninth-place tie at the PGA Tour of Americas Qualifying School in California, securing Conditional Status. The 24-year-old earned his Korn Ferry Tour invitation by triumphing in the 2023 Grier Jones Shocker Invitational on the College Amateur circuit. The Wichita Open, with a legacy since 1990, has seen champions like Tom Lehman, David Duval, David Toms, Jason Dufner, and Jhonattan Vegas. The Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed course, operational since 1969, offers a par-70 layout stretching up to 6,910 yards. Rayhan expressed his excitement, stating, 'It's a significant week after Q'School, my first professional tournament. I'm eager to test my game and relish the experience.' He transitioned to professional golf on June 1, 2024, after completing a five-year golf scholarship at Oklahoma State University. Aiming for a top-25 finish to secure a spot in the next Korn Ferry Tour event, Rayhan is also prepared for Monday qualifiers and mini-Tour events if needed. He is particularly focused on qualifying for the upcoming Korn Ferry tournament in Norman, Oklahoma, from June 20-23, close to his base. The Korn Ferry Tour serves as the developmental tour for the PGA Tour, offering top-30 money list players PGA Tour memberships for the following season. Since 2013, it has been the primary pathway to the PGA Tour, replacing Q-School as the main qualification route. Notable alumni include current World Number One, Scottie Scheffler, who was named both Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year in 2019. The PGA Tour of Americas also provides a route to the Korn Ferry Tour, with the top 10 Order of Merit players receiving Korn Ferry Tour cards for the next season.
Text: Lara Palmer
12.06.2024
Dubai-born Golfer to Compete in $1 Million Korn Ferry Tour Event in Kansas