Skaik hoping to ride on recent momentum as he focuses on UAE Challenge in Abu Dhabi

Khaleej Times

14-04-2025

The UAE's Ahmad Skaik is eager to build on the momentum from his historic outing at the UAE Challenge as he turns his focus to this week's Abu Dhabi Challenge (April 17–20), the concluding event of the HotelPlanner Tour's double-header in the UAE.
The 27-year-old made history as the first Emirati to make the cut in a European Tour group event, picking up the award for lowest amateur after finishing 69th at Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club.
His impressive performance included a thrilling finish to his second round on Friday, where he went birdie-birdie-eagle over the final three holes to card a five-under 67 and secure a weekend spot on the Tour for the first time.
Skaik is now looking ahead to this week's event at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club, focused on carrying the positives forward.
'I'm taking lots of positives away from last week, the last two rounds aren't going to take away anything from what I achieved,' said Skaik.
'I'll be taking all of those positives, hopefully do the same and maybe even better.'
Skaik's participation in both UAE events has been made possible through the Emirates Golf Federation's (EGF) long-term partnership with the European Tour group, which allocates 30 tournament spots for UAE players across the two tournaments. The initiative reflects a joint commitment to growing golf in the UAE through 2032.
As a key beneficiary of the partnership, Skaik has now competed in 12 HotelPlanner Tour events since 2023, supported by the EGF's collaboration with other national golf federations.
This unique opportunity has allowed Skaik to hone his game internationally, playing against emerging stars in Italy, Spain, France, and the Czech Republic on the DP World Tour's official feeder circuit.
With experience across 12 events under his belt, Skaik has developed both on and off the course—navigating travel demands, adapting to different courses, and sharpening his competitive edge. This progress has only strengthened his belief that he's ready to compete at the next level, as he eyes a professional debut later this year.
'I've played many of these HotelPlanner Tour events and I feel like I can now compete with them,' he said.
'I don't see any big differences between me and the players on the Tour, so that just gives me confidence heading into this week's event in Al Ain.'
Several of Skaik's UAE National Team teammates will also be in action, hoping to follow in his footsteps. These include his brother Mohammed Skaik, Sam Mullane, Jonathan Selvaraj, Neyl Cherrat, and Rayan Ahmed—who turned heads with an opening-round 66 at last year's Abu Dhabi Challenge.
They'll be joined by several stars chasing a place on the DP World Tour next season, including last week's winner Renato Paratore, two-time DP World Tour champion Eddie Pepperell, Dubai-based Adri Arnaus, and the UAE's own Joshua Grenville-Wood.
Last year's champion and Dubai resident Garrick Porteous returns to defend his title, while Ukrainian amateur Lev Grinberg will tee it up thanks to an invitation from the Emirates Golf Federation.
Grinberg made headlines two years ago as the second-youngest player to ever make a cut on the DP World Tour—aged just 14 years, six months, and six days—at the Soudal Open in Belgium.
The Abu Dhabi Challenge is backed by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and UAE-based sponsors including Arena, Al Laith, and eGolf Megastore. Fans can attend free of charge, with top-tier international golf on display throughout the week.