UAE Golf Pro Ahmed Al Musharrekh determined to make Championship cut in Abu Dhabi ahead of golf foundation launch

Fresh off an action-packed year of MENA Golf Tour contention, new sponsors and major announcements, Ahmed Al Musharrekh, the UAE’s first golf professional, will tee off his 2015 season at next week’s 10th anniversary Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.

The Sharjah-born Emirati will take on some of the game’s biggest names, including world number one Rory McIlroy, world number two Henrik Stenson and Rickie Fowler.

After carding his best results to date on this season’s MENA Golf Tour, Al Musharrekh’s sights are now firmly set on making the Championship cut at Abu Dhabi Golf Club this month in his fourth attempt at cracking the National Course.
“I feel I’ve come a very long way since teeing off my season in Abu Dhabi last January,” Al Musharrekh said. “Playing against the world’s best inspires and motivates me to continue to build my game, which is an experience that I hope to share with other Emirati golfers aspiring to break into professional ranks.”
Al Musharrekh first competed in the Championship as a fresh-faced 19-year-old in 2010 before returning in 2012, a year that saw him narrowly miss the cut in the Dubai Desert Classic and kick off his professional career on the MENA Golf Tour.
“Whilst the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship provides a tough challenge and the National Course demands a lot of focus, it’s a tournament which I very much enjoy taking part in,” he said. “The home crowd is extremely supportive and I’m reminded that I’m living my dream and inspiring the next generation of young national golfers.
 “I learned a lot last season and have taken the positives from some of my better results in the MENA Golf Tour – I’m looking forward to testing my progress in Abu Dhabi this January.”

Al Musharrekh turned professional in September 2012 as one of the most promising players on the regional circuit after an impressive amateur career which saw him win the 2012 GCC Championships, as well as individual and team gold medals in the 2011 Arab Games.
HSBC Global Head of Sponsorship & Events Giles Morgan said: “As a long-term international sponsor of the game, our ambition is to open up the world of golf and this tournament has provided the perfect platform for emerging talent to make their way in the game. It’s great to see Ahmed taking on the world’s best and we hope he can act as a flag-bearer for young golfers in the region.”
Organisers have lined up an all-star cast for the January 15-18 Championship hoping for a slice of the US $2.7 million prize purse. The line-up includes Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, Rickie Fowler, Justin Rose, Ernie Els, Matteo Manassero and a host of past champions including three-time winner Martin Kaymer.

The Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship 2015 is presented by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) and runs at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.  Tickets and tailored packages are available via the event’s official website – www.abudhabigolfchampionship.com  at AED50 for a daily pass and AED150 for a four-day pass. Guests staying at any Abu Dhabi hotel over the Championship period enter free and all those who book packages will enjoy a complimentary clinic with a world top 30 player.