Khaled Yousuf has aspirations of making the cut at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship this week.
The 21-year-old amateur, who was born in England but raised in the UAE, was handed a wild-card entry for the European-Tour backed event at The National Course and will take his place in the field for the opening round on Thursday alongside Phil Mickelson, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Graeme McDowell.
"I'm really excited," Yousuf said. "It will be my first time playing in this event and I can't wait as it's such a strong field with so many major winners. I played the course recently and it seems harder.
"They have lengthed it, widened it and added some bunkers so it's going to be tough."
Yousuf failed to make the cut at the Dubai Desert Classic in 2008 and 2009 but is more confident of his chances in the capital.
"I'd like to make the cut," Yousuf sad. "If I play well and to my potential I feel I have a chance. I have just got to make sure I hit the fairways and make my putts.
"It's important I take my time and not rush my game."
kaffleck@thenational.ae