Dubai: Ahmad Marjan is hoping Darren Clarke’s advice will enable him to successfully defend his Ras Al Khaimah Classic title in round 10 of the 11-stage Mena Golf Tour this week.
The 22-year-old Moroccan is paired with the 2016 European Ryder Cup captain for the opening two rounds of the contest, and knows exactly what it takes to succeed here having become the first Arab to win a Mena Tour Event at this venue last year.
“All I need is a good solid round under my belt to get my confidence back,” he said. “My game is a grind at the moment, having missed the cut in the last few events, but I am upbeat and focused.
“Playing with a player of the stature of Darren will also offer me a rare opportunity to iron out some of the kinks in my game,” added the youngster from Rabat, whose best finish this season has been a tied for seventh in round two of the series at the Royal D’Anfa Open in Mohammedia.
Clarke, who is the Patron of the Mena Tour, also sees his maiden appearance as a great opportunity to meet and play alongside some of the finest talent from the region and share his experience.
“I’ve seen and done most of the things at this stage of my career, and it will be nice to give back,” said the 42-year-old Northern Irishman who has won 22 tournaments worldwide in addition to featuring in seven Ryder Cups, five as a player and two as a vice-captain.
Meanwhile, Lee Corfield has enlivened the Order of Merit race with his victory at last week’s Ghala Open in Oman as just $1,000 (Dh3670) separates the top four heading into the final — and the 10th — event before the cut is made for the season-ending championship.
The 32-year-old Englishman has leapfrogged to third place with $17,207 in earnings for the season, just behind his compatriot Gary King ($17,588) and Scotland’s Paul Doherty ($17,366) with Sweden’s Per Barth ($16,316) sitting in fourth.
The story is similar in the Amateur Division where India’s Rayhan Thomas (221 points) has narrowed down the gap on England’s James Allan (285) following his impressive showing at the Ghala Open with Morocco’s Ayoub Lguirati (190) lurking not far behind.
