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Daily Tribune
19-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Porteous Takes One-Shot Lead Heading into Final Round of Abu Dhabi Challenge
Defending champion Garrick Porteous surged to the top of the leaderboard on Saturday with a solid third-round performance, carding a four-under-par 66 at the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club to lead the Abu Dhabi Challenge by a single stroke. The Dubai-based golfer, who began the day two shots behind overnight leader Robin Sciot-Siegrist, endured a shaky start with bogeys on the second and fourth holes. However, he quickly found his rhythm, recovering with birdies on the sixth, seventh, and ninth to make the turn at one-under for the day. Porteous, 35, kept the momentum on the back nine, adding three more birdies, including one on the 18th, to finish the round at 14-under-par for the tournament. He now holds a narrow lead over Renato Paratore, the recent UAE Challenge winner, who shot a 65 to reach 13-under. 'I started off poorly—two over through five—but I managed to recover well on the front nine and played solid golf coming in,' said Porteous, who stepped back from full-time professional golf at the end of last year. 'I've just had one swing thought all week. I got away from that a bit at the start, but the greens are pure, and if you start rolling it well, you've got a good chance.' The Englishman, who won last year's Abu Dhabi Challenge with a blistering 24-under-par finish, is eyeing back-to-back HotelPlanner Tour titles. Adding a personal touch to his title defense, Porteous has his wife caddying for him this week. 'I'm excited. It's still a relaxed atmosphere and we're having fun on the course,' he said. 'There are a lot of strong players just behind me, and with this course, birdie opportunities are everywhere. If I keep creating chances, I can stay in front.' Chasing Porteous is a competitive field, with American Davis Bryant, Spaniard Sebastian Garcia, and France's Robin Sciot-Siegrist tied at 12-under-par. Denmark's Victor Sidal Svendsen sits one stroke further back at 11-under, just ahead of a group of players at 10-under, including JC Ritchie (RSA), Chase Hanna (USA), Will Enefer (ENG), Christoffer Bring (DEN), and Felix Mory (FRA).
Daily Tribune
08-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Emirates Golf Federation Reinforces Commitment To Developing Homegrown Talent At Uae Challenge
As the prestigious UAE Challenge prepares to return to Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club from April 10–13, the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) has reaffirmed its strategic vision to nurture homegrown golfing talent and elevate the UAE's presence on the global stage. Part of the HotelPlanner Tour, the UAE Challenge is not just another tournament—it's a proving ground for the UAE's next generation of elite golfers. The EGF is leveraging the event to offer valuable international exposure to Emirati and UAE-based players, placing them side-by-side with top rising stars from across the world. 'This event is more than just a tournament—it's a launchpad for local players to take their next step,' said General Abdullah Alhashmi, Vice Chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation. 'By hosting world-class events like the UAE Challenge, we are not only promoting the UAE's credentials as a leading golf destination but also directly supporting the future of Emirati golf.' Among the UAE's top contenders is national team standout Ahmad Skaik, who recently made headlines by winning individual gold at the 2025 GCC Golf Championship with a phenomenal -18 under par. Skaik will be joined by teammates Sam Mullane, Jonathan Selvaraj, and Rayan Ahmed, who together clinched the team gold by a record 38 strokes—underscoring the rapid development of golf in the Emirates. The UAE Challenge will also welcome standout amateurs like Mikhail Pinto and Dan Bryne, both earning tournament exemptions after tying for second in the inaugural Cedars Championship. As top local performers, their inclusion further signals the EGF's commitment to fostering local success stories. In a demonstration of regional unity, players from the Arab Golf Federation, including Qatar's Daniil Sokolov and Saleh Al Kaabi, are also set to compete. The field will be further enriched by entries from club professionals representing top UAE golf institutions, such as Jackson Bell (Tommy Fleetwood Academy), Craig Howie (Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club), and Damien Scott (Al Hamra Golf Club). International federation trades have also enabled participation from National Team amateurs around the globe, including representatives from the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) —further enhancing the competitive calibre of the event. This week's tournament forms a core part of the EGF's broader development agenda, which includes grassroots training, international exposure, and elite-level support, in close collaboration with the DP World Tour and The R&A. Following the UAE Challenge, the Abu Dhabi Challenge will take place at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club from April 17–20. Both events are supported by Arena, Al Laith, and eGolf Megastore, with additional backing for the Abu Dhabi leg from the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and Department of Culture and Tourism. 'Through events like the UAE Challenge, we are giving our players the stage, the tools, and the belief to dream bigger—and to realise those dreams,' said Alhashmi. General admission is free for fans attending both the UAE Challenge and the upcoming Abu Dhabi Challenge.
