Rayhan Thomas is an Indian golfer based in the UAE, and is the No 1 amateur player in the country having sealed the Emirates Golf Federation Order of Merit last season. He continued his upwards trajectory with victory at the Qatar Open this month, when his play-off win secured a place at next week’s Qatar Masters, the middle event on the European Tour’s Desert Swing. He spoke to John McAuley about his ambitions and meeting Rory McIlroy.
Background
Thomas, 16, was born and raised in Dubai and counts the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club as his home course. He is so committed to forging a career in golf that he left St Mary’s Catholic High School last summer and is now homeschooled. He is coached by Justin Parsons at the Butch Harmon School of Golf.
q How did you pick up the game?
“I began playing around nine years old, and then seriously when I was about 10. My dad used to play and took me once to one of those Golf Houses on Sheikh Zayed Road. They had a little driving range at the back and I enjoyed hitting balls into the net. So my dad got me a plastic set and then a Ping set and it went from there. Then I was hooked.”
Who are your golfing heroes?
“I’ve always looked up to Rory McIlroy. I just like his swing, the way he conducts himself, the way he walks on the golf course. And I’m a big fan of Tiger Woods. To be honest, I like anyone who’s doing well, so I love Jordan Spieth and the way he putts. If I could do that it’d be very good. My iron play’s the strongest part of my game but my putting’s streaky. My dad says to find the inner Jordan Spieth.”
Have you met any of them?
“I had lunch with Rory in 2011, when I got an opportunity along with another four juniors to eat with him at a steakhouse at Madinat Jumeirah. He cooked a meal for us, so that was awesome. I was the only kid asking him a lot of questions. I probably annoyed him a little that day.”
What are you looking forward to most in Qatar?
Just the experience. Whether I make the cut or don’t, it doesn’t really matter, as long as I learn lots from it, which I know I will. I’m going to show up on one of the practice rounds to see if anybody like Henrik Stenson or Sergio Garcia are available and have a free spot. Maybe I can squeeze in there. It’d be great to play with any of those European Tour pros. They’ve obviously all earned their place.”
What would turning pro mean to you?
“That’s the goal, that’s why I moved from regular schooling to studying from home. I don’t know if I’ll go to university or not, but I’ll probably play 10 or 11 events this year on the Mena Tour. My mother doesn’t think I’m a disciplined enough student, but it’s going OK; my grades are not to bad. It’s good, because it allows me to practice a lot more and focus on golf, with all the travelling, etc.”
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