With two runner-up finishes in three weeks, Luke Joy will be hoping a victory is just around the corner as the Mena Golf Tour travels to award-winning Yas Links course for the first time for the Ascorp Golf Citizen Abu Dhabi Open starting Sunday.
Playing on his home course will further add to the confidence of a player who boasts two wins on the tour, but fell short of adding more silverware this season, losing the Dubai Creek Open and the Golf Citizen Classic in play-offs.
The Englishman, 28, joins a strong field that features 14 winners on the tour, including Spain’s Carlos Balmaseda, who denied him the title last week with an eagle at the third extra hole.
“The goal is to eventually get into contention week in and week out and start winning golf tournaments,” Joy said.
“I feel like I am in the zone and I have the self-belief in my game which is the key. I am pretty familiar with conditions at Yas Links, but still you have to execute your shots and play as well as you can since the standard of golf on the Mena Tour is very high.”
Lining up as potential roadblocks to Joy’s quest include his fellow Englishmen Zane Scotland, Lee Corfield and Andrew Marshall, all multiple winners of the tour, and Balmaseda who will be looking to make it two in a row.
With two wins in three weeks, including one on the Spanish Pro tour, Balmaseda can expect another good result if he is able to carry the same form into Yas Links
“I will definitely try and give my best shot and see where that leaves me,” the Spaniard, 44, said.
With amateur order of merit leader Rayhan Thomas of India sitting out to prepare for the Asia Pacific Championship in Seoul next month, the division could see Matias Calderon of Chile, Daniel Hendry of Scotland and Brazil’s Tiago Lobo duel for honours.
Designed by Kyle Phillips, the first links course in the region, Yas Links was ranked No 1 in the Middle East by Golf Digest this year and 46th in the world.
“We are extremely excited to have this opportunity to host the first Mena Golf Tour event at our course,” Howie Roberts, general manager at Yas, said.
“We will strive to deliver a memorable week. Events like this will turn the region into a golfing force.”
Mohammed Juma Buamaim, chairman of the Mena Golf Tour, thanked the Ascorp management and the players for their continued support to the tour.
“Yas Links Abu Dhabi is a welcome addition to our host venues and we look forward to working closely with them to ensure the event is successful.”
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Pakistanis at the ILT20
The new UAE league has been boosted this season by the arrival of five Pakistanis, who were not released to play last year.
Shaheen Afridi (Desert Vipers)
Set for at least four matches, having arrived from New Zealand where he captained Pakistan in a series loss.
Shadab Khan (Desert Vipers)
The leg-spin bowling allrounder missed the tour of New Zealand after injuring an ankle when stepping on a ball.
Azam Khan (Desert Vipers)
Powerhouse wicketkeeper played three games for Pakistan on tour in New Zealand. He was the first Pakistani recruited to the ILT20.
Mohammed Amir (Desert Vipers)
Has made himself unavailable for national duty, meaning he will be available for the entire ILT20 campaign.
Imad Wasim (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders)
The left-handed allrounder, 35, retired from international cricket in November and was subsequently recruited by the Knight Riders.
COMPANY PROFILE
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Started: 2022
Founder: Edward Hamod
Based: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Industry: Plant-based meat production
Number of employees: 34
Funding: $6.5 million
Funding round: Seed
Investors: Based in US and across Middle East
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Favourite drink: drip coffee V60
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WHY AAYAN IS 'PERFECT EXAMPLE'
David White might be new to the country, but he has clearly already built up an affinity with the place.
After the UAE shocked Pakistan in the semi-final of the Under 19 Asia Cup last month, White was hugged on the field by Aayan Khan, the team’s captain.
White suggests that was more a sign of Aayan’s amiability than anything else. But he believes the young all-rounder, who was part of the winning Gulf Giants team last year, is just the sort of player the country should be seeking to produce via the ILT20.
“He is a delightful young man,” White said. “He played in the competition last year at 17, and look at his development from there till now, and where he is representing the UAE.
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“It is about the development of players who are going to represent the UAE and go on to help make UAE a force in world cricket.”
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Results
5.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m
Winner Spirit Of Light, Clement Lecoeuvre (jockey), Erwan Charpy (trainer)
6.05pm Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner Bright Start, Pat Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor
6.40pm Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (D) 2,000m
Winner Twelfthofneverland, Nathan Crosse, Satish Seemar
7.15pm Handicap (TB) Dh85,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Imperial Empire, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
7.50pm Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (T) 2,000m
Winner Record Man, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
8.25pm Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (D) 1,600m
Winner Celtic Prince, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly
RESULT
Al Hilal 4 Persepolis 0
Khribin (31', 54', 89'), Al Shahrani 40'
Red card: Otayf (Al Hilal, 49')
