Rayhan Thomas defies nerves and sleep deprivation to shoot solid opening round in Abu Dhabi

Even as one of the only two amateurs in the field Rayhan Thomas is already building a pretty decent fan base, at home and abroad.

Rayhan Thomas, pictured during a practice round on Tuesday, enjoyed an encouraging debut round at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. His level par 72 puts the UAE-based teenager alongside defending champion Rickie Fowler and world No 3 Dustin Johnson. Matthew Lewis / Getty ImagesShow less

ABU DHABI // Even as one of the only two amateurs in the field, and the youngest player competing at this week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, Rayhan Thomas is already building a pretty decent fan base, at home and abroad.

The Dubai-based teenager, 17, is playing only his second European Tour event thanks to a special invite, but looked on Thursday like he had been doing this for quite some time, firing three birdies and three bogeys to finish level par.

He was ably supported throughout by mum, dad and friends, with dad doing as dads do and chronicling every shot on his phone. He then sent the videos through to everyone on a dedicated WhatsApp group, some living in the UAE, some back in India where the Thomas family originates.

Thomas added a few new admirers, too. After signing for a solid 72, the youngest winner in Mena Tour history was stopped by a small boy as he left the scorer’s hut and asked for his autograph. Thomas promptly inscribed the boy’s cap.

_________________________________

Read more

■ Martin Kaymer: Already reaping the benefits of forgoing ski holiday

■ Henrik Stenson: 'Lack of practice' works wonders for early leader

■ Dustin Johnson: More of the same in 2017 after breakout 2016

_________________________________

So, comfortable much mixing it with the big boys?

“It’s a bit intimidating,” Thomas said. “But my family’s here, and a lot of familiar faces, so I’m feeling at home. I was a bit nervous on the first tee, legs a bit shaky, but a good chip-in on the second settled my nerves a little. It was a good day.”

Indeed it was. The chip-in on two, when first-round adrenalin caused him to overcook his third shot and short-side himself, arrived once Thomas showed a nerveless touch to roll in a wedge from just off the green.

“Just perfect,” he said.

The same could not be said for his night’s sleep. Teeing off at 8.40am, Thomas awoke at his friend’s house — he lives 20 minutes from Abu Dhabi Golf Club — more than five hours early, and failed to doze off again. So much for sufficient shuteye before his big day.

“I woke up around 3 o’clock this morning and then tried to sleep from there, but I just couldn’t,” he said. “I was lying on the bed for about two hours trying to go to sleep and then, by 5 o’clock when I had to get up, I was actually pretty sleepy.

“I sort of have that before rounds — I can’t sleep very well. But it happens at all my tournaments.”

He will sleep easy on Thursday knowing he sits in good company on the leaderboard. Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler, the world No 3 and defending champion respectively, both opened with 72s as well. Thomas was delighted upon discovering afterwards that he had matched two of the game’s brightest stars.

He is now best buds with Fowler anyway, having played nine holes in practice on Tuesday with the popular American. Fowler later praised Thomas’ obvious talent in his pre-tournament press conference.

“It was awesome,” Thomas said of Tuesday’s knock-around. “That gave me a lot of confidence for this week. For a guy like him, a hero of mine, to say nice things about me was really good of him and I thank him for that.”

Asked what he wants from Friday’s second round, Thomas belied his tender years and came across all seasoned old pro, instead.

“Just go out and try to go low tomorrow,” he said.​

Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport