Ahmed Al Musharrekh to swing harder in Mena Golf Tour after Saudi outing

UAE golfer buoyed by securing his first cut as a professional, reports John McAuley.

Ahmed Al Musharrekh finished in 49th place in Saudi Arabia. Delores Johnson / The National

DUBAI // Buoyed by securing his first cut as a professional, Ahmed Al Musharrekh is determined to continue on that upward trajectory this week.

The Emirati, who last year became the first UAE golfer to graduate from the amateur ranks, tees it up on Monday at the Sheikh Maktoum Dubai Open, the fifth event on the 2013 Mena Tour.

Understandably, Al Musharrekh cut a contented figure around Al Badia Golf Club on Sunday, thanks largely to his performance in the 54-hole Dirab Golf Championship last week, a performance that earned him a nice little reward of US$408 (Dh1,500), too. Yet it was the confidence gained from his 49th-place finish in Saudi Arabia – his finest display on the Mena to date – that provided the greatest satisfaction.

“It’s the first step for me,” said Al Musharrekh, who played with the UAE national team before turning pro. “All I need is simply some more experience and to put myself out there, so I can play freely.

“This game’s all about playing. When I was representing the national team, I was competing in tournaments internationally, but obviously had my studies and other things that pulled me away.

“But right now I’m doing this full-time. I get to focus as much as I want. OK, I haven’t got the results in terms of scoring, but I feel very comfortable with my game. After that the scores will come.” His objectives this week seem both bold and simple.

“Every time I tee it up my goal is to win the tournament; I’m not there to do anything but that,” he said. “If it happens, then great. If not, on to the next one.”