Dubai: Jakub Hrinda will spearhead a host of teenage prodigies when the nine-stage Mena Golf Tour resumes with round three of the series at the Dubai Creek Open, from September 14 to 17.
The Slovakian made headlines on his debut in the 2013 Qatar Classic, when — aged 13 years, six months and 24 days — he became the youngest golfer to win an amateur division of a Mena Tour event.
Hrinda will be joined by fellow teen sensations James Allan and Elliott Oxlade of England, India’s Rayhan Thomas and Jung Bin Kim of South Korea.
Allan, 19, has claimed an early lead in this season’s Amateur Order of Merit with 51 points after a first and fourth place finish in the first two events of the series held in Morocco in March. He’s ahead of second-placed Ayoub Lguirati of Morocco by ten points.
Out to stop the youngsters at amateur level will be Switzerland’s Michael Harradine, England’s James Yeoman, Zi Hao Su of China and Lebanon’s Rachid Akl, who, at the age of 56, is the oldest player in the field.
Oman’s Azaan Al Ruhmy — a former winner of the Oman Open — is also a contender, and a favourite for the newly-devised Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation Award, for best professional and amateur Arab player at each event.
“At the core of our mission is a deep commitment to develop amateurs who represent their countries,” said Mena Tour chairman Mohammad Juma Bu Amim. “They are the ones who will inspire more people to take up golf at the right age.
“Ours is the only golf tour which is open to amateurs. And it’s quite encouraging to see many youngsters are using this platform to get to the next level. We want to encourage our players to turn professional, but not rush them,” he added.
