Dubai golfer Abdalla Al Musharrekh secures a spot in the Dubai World Championship pre event Pro Am

Dubai golfer Abdalla Al Musharrekh will rub shoulders with many of the biggest names in world golf after securing a playing spot in the pre-event Pro-Am, curtain raiser to the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World, as a result of winning the coveted UAE National Championship.

Al Musharrekh has earned a considerable reputation for himself in UAE golfing circles over the past few years and he will put his talent to the test alongside many of the biggest names in the game courtesy of a playing invite from Dubai World Championship title sponsor DP World.

The 23 year-old made sure of a place in a Pro-Am field that will include the likes of the world’s top three ranked players Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and Rory McIlroy after seeing off the challenge of 37 fellow UAE golfers in the two-day UAE National Championship staged over the Fire and Earth courses at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

Rounds of 76 and 74 saw Al Musharrekh home by six shots from nearest challenger Sohail Al Marzuki (82 and 74) who took the runner-up spot from Khalid Yousuf (80 and 76) on a count-back.

“We are delighted to be able to invite UAE National Champion Abdalla Al Musharrekh to join us at the Dubai World Championship and take his place in the Pro-Am on December 6,” said Mr Mohammed Sharaf, CEO DP World.

“Many of the world’s biggest names in golf will be in action so this is a great chance for Abdalla to showcase his talent in front of the world’s best players. Of course, while it is a great bonus for the UAE golf to have the world’s best play here in Dubai, we must never forget golf’s grass roots in this country.

“Over the past 25 years, golf in the UAE has grown beyond all recognition and we are proud of the way so many UAE nationals have embraced the game and worked hard to improve the standard of the sport among Emiratis. By inviting Abdalla to play in the Pro-Am, we hope we can encourage the development of the game and the work of bodies such as the Emirates Golf Federation.”

Al Musharrekh is no stranger to the big stage having played in events such as the Asian Amateur Championship and the Eisenhower Team Championship, but he is excited at the prospect of teeing up alongside the top names in The Race to Dubai.

“I really appreciate the invitation and can’t wait to play in the Pro-Am,” he said. “It doesn’t really matter which pro I play with as getting the opportunity to play with any of the top 60 in The Race to Dubai will be a pleasure. I also love the Earth course as the greens are so pure and true – when it is in top condition I believe it is the best course in the country.”

Following the Pro-Am on December 6, the pros will have a practice day before the tournament itself is staged from December 8-11. Complimentary tickets to see the 2011 Dubai World Championship presented by DP World and held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Counci