Rayhan Thomas (centre) with caddie OSU Assistant Coach Startton Nolan (right) and a volunteer (L)
24-year-old Dubai born Rayhan Thomas, who represented India in various international amateur tournaments for the past few years and has played 4 years of college golf for the highly rated NCAA Division 1 team at Oklahoma State University, made his pro debut last week at the US$ 1mn Kansas Wichita Open on the Korn Ferry Tour, shooting 72-64-67-73 to finish tied-68th at 4-under 276.
The Korn Ferry Tour played exclusively in USA, is the main feeder tour for the lucrative PGA Tour, where the top 25 in the Korn Ferry Rankings get automatic playing rights for the following year on the PGA Tour.
Thomas was playing last week on a sponsor invitation, and following his debut, he played the 18-hole Monday qualifier for the following week’s Korn Ferry Tour event but shot 1-over 73 and missed qualifying.
Thomas was the highest-ranked Indian golfer in the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR), at 74th prior to turning pro. He represented India at the 2022 World Amateur Team Championship in France, where he finished 25th individually. He was also selected to play on the 12 man Asia Pacific Amateur Team that played against Europe at the Bonallack Trophy in 2019.
Thomas first shot to fame as a 16 year old amateur when he claimed a pro victory at the 2016 Dubai Creek Open, on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Pro Tour.
Thomas will need to play the multiple stage highly competitive qualifying tournaments for the Korn Ferry Tour later in 2024 in order to obtain playing rights for 2025.
Photo – Khaleej Times