Rayhan Thomas, the Dubai-based amateur, is contesting this week’s Hero Indian Open in Delhi – his fourth European Tour event. John McAuley caught up with the talented teenager before Thursday’s first round.
Mixing it with the pros
Thomas, 17, is competing at the DLF Golf and Country Club on an invite from the Indian Golf Union. In January, he was invited by sponsors to play the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, before featuring in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic two weeks later, courtesy of winning last year's amateur Order of Merit on the Mena Tour. After missing the cut in Abu Dhabi, Thomas played all four days in Dubai, finishing tied-60th.
New Delhi delight
Thomas will have Manish Goyal on the bag, a friend from the Mena Tour. Goyal is also a club member, which should be key this week given Thomas had never played the course until he took in nine holes on Monday. On Tuesday, he played 18 with six-time European Tour winner Brett Rumford. Thomas tees off his first two rounds alongside Portugal’s Jose-Felipe Lima and Frenchman Damien Perrier.
On first impressions of DLF
“This course is fabulous, one of the best I’ve played in India,” Thomas said. “It’s very tricky, but looks awesome. I had a quick look online before the event, but you have to come here and see it because the course is in its prime - it’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before. I think I can do well on it. It rewards good driving and good ball-striking, which are some of my strengths.”
Rayhan Thomas was paired with US Masters champion Danny Willett for the final round of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. Ross Kinnaird / Getty Images
On another great opportunity
“Just like the Desert Classic, the Indian Open is another of my ‘home’ opens, so it means a lot for them to have given me this invite,” Thomas said. “To be playing against some great European Tour and Asian Tour players is great for my game moving forward. I’ve never been to the tournament, but watched it on TV tons of times. Last year was great, when [SSP] Chawrasia hit the shot from the trees on the left of 18 at Delhi Golf Club – that was one heck of a shot. Meeting Anirban [Lahiri] and SSP in Dubai, knowing how good they are and what nice guys they are, opened my eyes to the European Tour world.”
On seeking some expert advice
“I played nine holes with Brett Rumford yesterday, so that was very nice,” Thomas said. “I saw him on the chipping green on Monday and just asked if he was free to play nine holes. So it was really nice of him to do that. He’s a great guy and had one of the best short games I’ve even seen. We chatted mainly about the tour, and how he handled it, because he played on the European Tour and for a little bit on the PGA Tour, so it was good to know how he’s travelled around. He’s been on tour for about 18 years so knows his stuff.”
Rayhan Thomas competed at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in January. Matthew Lewis / Getty Images
On learning from the Desert Swing
“It’s mostly the experience of being in that situation and that atmosphere with pros you’ve seen on TV, doing all this registration stuff, staying around the player lounge and just acting like a pro and being professional about my approach to my game,” Thomas said. “Getting comfortable in that arena is the most important thing. This is my fourth event and I’m feeling a little more comfortable, seeing more familiar faces. But game-wise I know it’s good enough to compete at a high level and getting better. So I’m happy.”
On expectations for the week
“Just take it one shot at a time,” said Thomas, who sits 98th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. “That’s all I’m going to do: play to my numbers, don’t do anything silly, be patient, go out there and just play. And enjoy every minute of it - that’s all I’m out here to do. I try to keep pretty calm, to be honest. I try not to get too far ahead of myself, don’t get too excited. Just be happy and keep smiling and I’ll do fine.”
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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