Dubai’s Josh Hill aiming for bigger and better in 2022

Ahead of his appearance at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas links next month, Gulf News caught up with 17-year-old Dubai-based golfer Josh Hill

How have you felt your 2021 year has gone?

2021 was OK for me. Although Covid-19 still had an impact on my season but not as much as in 2020. I managed to get full England national honours which was a highlight. With my recent win in the Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship, I moved up to to a career high of 172 on the R&A’s world amateur rankings which has shown some progress. I feel I could have done better, but that is now history.

What are your educational plans in the short term?

I am currently home schooling in my final year and will take my business exams either in Dubai or England, depending on my travel plans. That will all be finished by May or early June.

What are your golfing plans for 2022?

After my exams I am not sure whether to play my golf this year in the US or on the European amateur circuit. It is an important decision. I am still deciding. There are some early season European National Amateur Championships from March onwards in the likes of Portugal and Spain that I am looking at. I am looking forward to having a proper playing schedule, that perhaps has not been the case over the last two years.

I am already confirmed to play in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship from January 20 to 23. The only other two confirmed players in the field are Open and DP World Tour champion Collin Morikawa, and Rory McIlroy. I am in good company! I have applied for invites to the Dubai Desert Classic, which I played in last time, and looking to hopefully catch the eye of other DP World Tour events in the Middle East as well as perhaps the organisers of the Challenge Tour. As with any player, whether amateur or professional, I am looking for playing opportunities. I have just noticed in the last few days, a positive announcement in the media on an alliance between the MENA Tour and the Asian Tour. As a 15-year-old, I won the Al Ain Open on the Mena Tour and became the youngest player ever to win an Official World Ranking event. It is listed in the Guinness Book of Records. I will watch with interest how this alliance and schedule develops and look at potential playing opportunities in this region as well as in Asia.

How important was it to win the Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club to earn an invite for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links next month?

I was delighted to win. There was a very strong field of international players who had travelled from overseas to play in this qualifier, so to get the invitation by qualification is even more rewarding. I won the same event in 2019. Thanks to the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the DP World Tour, HSBC and Saadiyat Beach Golf Club for arranging this initiative.

You played in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship last year. How was it and what did you learn from the experience?

I disappointingly missed the cut on the National Course at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, but I now know what to expect, both on and off the golf course, before and during the tournament. I played nine holes in the practice round in January with four-time major winner and US Ryder Cup player Brooks Koepka, and his golf coach Peter Cowen walked around with me. That was fun and I enjoyed it. I did not know what to expect, I was comfortable around these two legends in the game of golf and I treated it as just a few holes with another golfer and his coach.

How will the new R&A Amateur Status Rules affect your Year?

The rules coming into effect on January 1 mean that elite amateurs can now seek commercial sponsorship. Titleist support me as much as they can as an amateur. As life of an amateur golfer is not cheap, especially when we live so far from all the significant amateur tournaments around the world, my parents and their contacts are currently exploring sponsorship opportunities, hopefully from companies and organisations in Dubai and the UAE. I was born and have grown up in Dubai, so hopefully I can attract some local Dubai interest and corporate support. My home golf club in Dubai, Trump International, have been exceptional and I want to pass on my thanks to Casper Schonfeldt, Martin McDonagh and all the team at Trump, I cannot thank them enough for all their support so far. I am in the England squad and receive coaching from Rob Watts, who I speak to at least once a week.

I try to make the most of the access I have to Rob and others who help with psychology and various aspects of the game at England Golf.

We are all used to working remotely now with coaches and I actually feel that I get a lot of benefits from our sessions. My mum and dad have been absolutely great as I have developed my golf game and grown up. I cannot thank them enough for always being there for me.