Latest news with #UAEChallenge
Khaleej Times
20-04-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
'I still can't believe that', says Paratore after sealing back-to-back HotelPlanner Tour wins
'I still can't believe it!' said an elated Renato Paratore after clinching his second consecutive HotelPlanner Tour title in the UAE, capping off a sensational fortnight with a four-under-par 66 to win the Abu Dhabi Challenge in Al Ain. The Italian, who lifted the UAE Challenge trophy just a week earlier, once again showed nerves of steel with birdies on two of his last four holes—finishing at 17 under par and edging out Scotsman David Law and Spain's Sebastian Garcia by a single stroke. Law had set a fierce clubhouse target with a blistering nine-under 61, but Paratore held firm under pressure. Entering the final round one shot off the lead, Paratore picked up shots on the fifth and seventh holes to gain early momentum. Despite a couple of back-nine bogeys, the 28-year-old bounced back with clutch birdies—including a decisive one at the par-five 18th after reaching the green in two. 'I felt confident coming into today because I won last week,' Paratore said. 'But I knew it was going to be tough with so many in contention. I'm really proud of how I handled it.' Garcia and Law shared second place at 16 under, while American Davis Bryant finished third at 15 under. A quartet of players, including Frenchman Robin Siegrist and Italy's Stefano Mazzoli, tied for fifth at 14 under. Paratore's double triumph rockets him to second in the Road to Mallorca Rankings, further fueled by support from the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Arena, Al Laith, and eGolf Megastore.
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).
Khaleej Times
15-04-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Ahmed Skaik isn't just playing to win — he's playing to build a future and a legacy
Ahmed Skaik doesn't sound like someone who has been waiting for success. He talks like someone who is ready for it. There's a quiet conviction in his voice, a sense that the work has been done — not just on his swing, but in how he sees himself. After years of chasing form, navigating injuries, and dealing with the mental pressure that elite athletes quietly carry, the 27-year-old Emirati golfer has reached a point of clarity in his career. 'I feel mentally much stronger,' he says. 'Everything I've been working on — physically, emotionally, even spiritually — is starting to come together.' Self-belief The results reflect that self-belief. While much has been said about his historic performance at the UAE Challenge — where he became the first Emirati golfer to make the cut in a European Tour-sanctioned event — for Skaik, it was simply another confirmation that he's heading in the right direction. He recalls the nerves standing on the 18th tee in Ajman, remembering the triple bogey from the day before. But this time, he steadied himself and hit a perfect tee-shot and then flushed his second shot 270 yards downwind that hit to 17 feet from the pin, from where he bravely holed it. 'I just said to myself, You've done this before. You can do it again.,' he said. 'That hole was everything. It tested me. And I passed. That moment… I really wanted it,' For Skaik it just isn't about golf. It's about moving forward with clarity about what he wants - to turn professional later this year. And the decision isn't being rushed by results or headlines. It's coming from something more grounded — a readiness he feels every time he steps onto the course. 'I've tried to get here many times, and I've come up short. But I needed those experiences,' he says. 'I've grown from them. I'm ready now.' Restructuring Process In recent months, Skaik has restructured everything around him. A focused training regime, regular physio, proper rest and recovery, healthy meals — and a team that helps him stay balanced. He's found that small changes, about getting the basics right, every single day. 'It's the things people don't always see,' he explains. 'The stretches before and after a round, the cold therapy, eating right — it makes me feel better every day.' More importantly, he's found belief again. For a while, it was missing. Injuries had taken their toll. So had the mental grind of tough competition. But now, there's a rhythm to his game — and to his life. His ball-striking has improved, but so has his mindset. 'It's not just about technique,' he says. 'I'm trusting myself more. I tell myself: Commit to the shot. You belong here,' And that voice is getting stronger. Future Targets Looking ahead, Skaik is targeting the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship this October — a landmark tournament on home soil. Whether he wins or not, it will trigger the period when he officially turns pro. After that, he plans to attempt both the European and Asian Tour Q Schools, stepping fully into the next phase of his journey. 'I love this game. I want it to be my future,' he says. 'And I think I'm ready to earn that.' But as he pushes forward, Skaik is also aware of the space he now occupies — as a pioneer, and perhaps more importantly, as a role model in the UAE. The messages come in weekly, sometimes daily — from Emirati kids, Arab expats, and aspiring golfers of all backgrounds. He sees it as both a responsibility and a reward. 'It makes me proud. It reminds me that this is bigger than me,' he says. 'And it tells me I'm doing the right things.' There's a phrase he repeats often, one that sums up the balance he's trying to strike: 'It's good to be a killer on the golf course — and a good human being on the outside.' That balance — fierce competitor meets grounded person — is what's guiding him now. Not just toward trophies, but toward a lasting legacy for golf in the UAE.
Al Etihad
13-04-2025
- Sport
- Al Etihad
Paratore takes UAE Challenge title while Skaik settles for best amateur
13 Apr 2025 23:41 KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)Renato Paratore carded a seven-under par score on the final day to win the UAE Challenge at the par-72 Al Zorah Golf and Yacht Club in Ajman, where history was made this week with Ahmad Skaik became the first Emirati to make the cut in a European Tour salvaged his tournament from an unfortunate third day's play to finish three over and still take the award for the best amateur at the tournament, the first of two back-to-back HotelPlanner events. He had to play with a cracked driver during the course of the third Italian Paratore, on the other hand, started on Sunday one shot off the overnight leader and hit a purple patch of three birdies and an eagle on the first five holes. Two further birdies on the back nine saw two-time DP World Tour winner Paratore pull away from the chasing pack to finish at 22-under par and seal a maiden title on what was earlier known as the Challenge Tour."The feeling is great, my last win was in 2020, so today was important for me," he said. "I just try to stay in the moment and stay in the hole every time I play because you can get distracted, but I stayed really focused all the days. My putting has been brilliant this week. Of course, the game has been good, but the putter played a really important role." Paratore, whose last win came at the Betfred British Masters five years ago, catapults to seventh in the Road to Mallorca Rankings and the Italian is looking to continue his impressive form at next week's Abu Dhabi Challenge at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club. "I didn't start the season well so today is a good push forward and I can't wait to play next week," the Italian added, while praising the push by his closest rival JC Ritchie. The consistent South African, who shared the 36-hole lead, piled the pressure on Paratore after making back-to-back birdies on the 14th and 15th, however, a double bogey on the par-three 17th ended the 31-year-old's finished second on 20-under par, three shots clear of Erickson in third. "I was five under but only leading by one shot after nine," Paratore said. "JC played really well so congratulations to him, it was a good fight until the end."France's Oihan Guillamoundeguy finished the week tied for fourth on 16-under par alongside Dubai resident Adri Arnaus of Spain. Ireland's Mark Power, German Freddy Schott and Portuguese Pedro Figueiredo were one shot further back on 14-under par. Meanwhile, Skaik was left reminiscing on what the week could have been as he collected the award for the lowest-ranked amateur from Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al 27-year-old Skaik had put together a stunning finish to his second round on Friday, going birdie-birdie-eagle over the round's final three holes at Al Zorah's course to post a five-under 67, securing his passage to the record books and the third round. He then suffered the misfortune of a cracked driver on Day 3 which affected his scoring on the back nine and Sunday was another tough day as he struggled with his replacement club, which he said "was not used to" while carding a 75 to end the tournament at three over par.
Khaleej Times
13-04-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Paratore's magic touch with the putter seals UAE Challenge victory in Ajman
Renato Paratore had one thing on his mind after sinking the final putt at Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club to win the UAE Challenge on Sunday – gratitude for his trusty putter. The two-time DP World Tour winner fired a sizzling final-round seven-under 65 to finish at 22 under par and seal a maiden HotelPlanner Tour title. South African JC Ritchie finished solo second on 20 under par, three shots clear of American Dan Erickson in third. 'My putting has been brilliant this week,' said the Italian. 'Of course, the game has been good, but the putter played a really important role.' Paratore entered the final round one shot back but quickly raced to the top of the leaderboard thanks to three birdies and an eagle on his first five holes. Two further birdies on the back nine saw him pull away for victory. 'The feeling is great, my last win was in 2020 so today was important for me,' he said. 'I just try to stay in the moment and stay in the hole every time I play because you can get distracted, but I stayed really focused all the days. I was five under but only leading by one shot after nine. JC played really well so congratulations to him, it was a good fight until the end.' Sunday's win was Paratore's first since 2020 and a reminder of just how dangerous he can be when everything clicks. Rise up rankings Paratore, whose last win came at the Betfred British Masters five years ago, catapults to seventh in the Road to Mallorca Rankings. The Italian is looking to continue his impressive form at next week's Abu Dhabi Challenge at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club. 'I didn't start the season well so today is a good push forward and I can't wait to play next week,' he added. Ritchie, who shared the 36-hole lead, piled the pressure on Paratore after making back-to-back birdies on the 14th and 15th. However, a double bogey on the par-three 17th ended the 31-year-old's hopes. France's Oihan Guillamoundeguy finished the week tied for fourth on 16 under par alongside Dubai resident Adri Arnaus of Spain. Ireland's Mark Power, German Freddy Schott, and Portuguese Pedro Figueiredo were one shot further back on 14 under par. Skaik's Historic Moment for UAE Golf Meanwhile, the UAE's Ahmad Skaik won the award for lowest amateur, having made history as the first Emirati ever to make the cut in a European Tour group event. 'It was a week filled with ups and downs,' said Skaik, who was presented with his award by Sheikh Rashid Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi. 'I was four over through 12 on day one and then made four birdies on the last five holes to finish one over. 'Then on the second day, nothing was happening until the last three holes when I made birdie-birdie-eagle to make the cut. I was very happy obviously and everyone was proud. 'In the third round, I had many unlucky breaks. My driver broke after nine holes and I had to play the rest of the round and today with a different driver that I'm not used to,' he added. 'It was pretty tough - I just don't know where the ball is going to go with the driver and I seemed to hit it in every single bunker,' said Skaik. 'But I love challenges and putting myself in uncomfortable positions. I feel like today was one of them and I'll learn from it.' Looking Ahead to Al Ain The Abu Dhabi Challenge, the second event in the HotelPlanner Tour's UAE swing in partnership with the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF), tees off April 17 at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club. Road to Mallorca Number Two Wilco Nienaber, Englishman Jamie Rutherford, Delhi Challenge winner Quim Vidal, and Paratore will all be in the field—alongside Skaik and a host of emerging talent from the UAE. Fans are welcome to attend the event free of charge.
