Pep Guardiola's all-conquering Blues go into the final day of the season on Sunday with a two-point cushion over the Gunners thanks to an eight-game winning streak
sports1 day ago
Golf
UAE captain Ahmad Skaik said he is looking forward to testing his skills against some of the best players in the world at next month’s 2023 World Amateur Team Championships at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
Skaik will be joined by current UAE Junior Order of Merit winner Rayan Ahmed as well as 2023 Robert Rock Abu Dhabi Championship winner Thomas Nesbitt.
Hosted by Abu Dhabi Sports Council along with Destination Partner, the Department of Culture and Tourism, the men’s Eisenhower Trophy is scheduled for October 18 – 21 while the women’s Espirito Santo Trophy takes place the following week from October 25 – 28.
“It is an honour to represent the country in any event, and to do it in the biggest amateur team event, especially on home soil, makes it even more special,” said Skaik.
“I am excited about this opportunity and proud to serve as the captain. I couldn't compete much last year due to my injury, so I am eagerly anticipating the challenge.”
Ahmed, who also achieved a top ten finish at the 2023 European Golf Championships, added: “It's truly a dream come true to participate in a tournament where golf legends like Tiger (Woods), Rory (McIlroy), and (Jon) Rahm have played.
“I'll have the opportunity to test my skills against the very best in the world.”
The women’s representatives include 2023 Faldo Series Middle East Championship winner Jamie Camero, 2022 All African Challenge Trophy champion Intissar Rich and Lara El Chaib who won two events herself in England last year.
“The WATC will bring together the best of the best amateurs from all over the world and I’m so honoured to be a part of it, especially in front of our home crowd.” said Camero. “I’m guaranteed to learn a lot from the week.”
Rich, who has previously played in Ladies European Tour events, added: “I'm very excited to be part of the UAE Ladies Team and to play golf at Abu Dhabi Golf Club for the Espirito Santo Trophy.
“This course is known for being tough and used to host the HSBC Championship. Representing the UAE is a big honour, and I can't wait to play golf with my teammates.”
Both tournaments are set to feature 36 countries with each nation having two or three playing representatives with some of the best amateur players in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, including current World Number One Christo Lamprecht.
The 22 year-old South African entered the limelight earlier this year as he posted a 66 to hold the first-round lead at the 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Club.
“It’s always a great privilege to represent your country,” said Lamprecht. “I’m a very proud South African, I’m looking forward to it and playing alongside my fellow South Africans.
“It’s time we do really good in the event as historically we haven’t done too well. I think it could be a really special one for us.”
ALSO READ
The best two scores from each day’s play constitutes towards the team’s score for each round with the 72-hole total combing to give the nation’s score for the full championship.
Both tournaments were last held in 2022 in France where Italy emerged victorious at the Eisenhower Trophy on 31 under par while Sweden claimed the Espirito Santo Trophy on a score of 13 under.
Pep Guardiola's all-conquering Blues go into the final day of the season on Sunday with a two-point cushion over the Gunners thanks to an eight-game winning streak
sports1 day ago
Brazilian Fabio Lima strikes twice in Dubai club's emphatic 4-0 victory at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain
sports1 day ago
Jon Rahm, Wyndham Clark, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods were among the stars packing their golf bags and leaving the famed Kentucky course after a testing second round on Friday
sports1 day ago
Top players can compartmentalize their lives, shut out all other outside distractions and can just focus on their game, says renowned golf coach Peter Cowen
sports1 day ago
The maverick West Indies' wicketkeeper-batsman hit eight sixes in his 29-ball 75 to set-up a comfortable win over the pre-tournament favourites
sports2 days ago
Bengaluru needs to win the match by at least 18 runs if they score a minimum of 200 runs batting first or win in 18.1 overs if they are chasing 200
sports2 days ago
The American is faces four criminal charges with assault of a police officer, criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic
sports2 days ago
It is the first meeting between the world No.1 and No.2 in the tournament's history with a winner's purse of €699,690 at stake
sports2 days ago