Dubai-born Rayhan Thomas returns home for Hero Indian Open

For Dubai-born Indian Rayhan Thomas, the dream of playing in his home open as a professional becomes a reality next month as he tees it up at the DP World Tour’s Hero Indian Open.

The 25-year-old Indian has confirmed his participation at the tournament, which will be held at the DLF Golf & Country Club in Delhi’s National Capital Region.

Thomas, who turned professional last June after four years at Oklahoma State University, earned his place in the field courtesy of his victory at the Coimbatore Open on the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) last season.

Currently competing on the Korn Ferry Tour (KFT) - the official feeder circuit to the PGA Tour - Thomas faced uncertainty about playing in Gurgaon. However, with a gap in the KFT schedule before the American Swing begins, he seized the opportunity to return to his roots.

“The Indian Open means a lot to me,” Thomas told Gulf News.

“It's an event I’ve grown up watching and then played as an amateur, so I’m excited to be playing it as a pro now.

“There's a lot of significance behind playing the Indian Open as an Indian. Anybody playing their national open feels an extra significance. Competing and doing what I do in India amongst the Indian players, Indian fans – it’s going to be a great experience for me and something I know I will cherish, especially my first one as a professional.

“Luckily, the Indian Open falls just before we start the American Swing, so once I knew the dates lined up nicely, I really wanted to play the Indian Open.”

Thomas has a special connection with the DLF Golf & Country Club, having played in the DP World Tour’s first-ever staging of the Hero Indian Open there in 2017, the year home favourite Shiv Chawrasia triumphed.

Next month, he will return, aiming to follow in the footsteps of Chawrasia by becoming the first Indian to win the tournament since that 2017 edition.

“I’m excited to be back in India to play again, and hopefully we can make it as successful as last time,” he said.”

Whirlwind year

The past year has been a whirlwind for the young star.

In only his second professional start, Thomas shared eighth place at the International Series Morocco, a tournament that featured several LIV Golf stalwarts. Just months later, he celebrated his maiden professional victory at the Coimbatore Open.

Despite narrowly missing out on a DP World Tour card - finishing tied for 30th at Qualifying School, just outside the top 20 cutoff - Thomas displayed resilience just a month later.

He rebounded brilliantly at the Final Stage of the PGA Tour Qualifying School, tying for 26th to secure at least 12 starts on this season’s Korn Ferry Tour.

So far, he has made an impressive start to his KFT campaign. Of the four events he has entered, Thomas has placed in the top 30 three times, with a standout seventh-place finish in the Bahamas.

Those results have him ranked 26th in the season-long standings, as he targets a coveted spot in the top 20 at the end of the season to secure a PGA Tour card.

“The Korn Ferry Tour has been great,” Thomas said.

“I've really enjoyed my time so far and [am] excited for the weeks to come ahead. It's nice to have a full schedule, knowing where I'll be playing week to week—it makes it a lot easier logistically.

“It’s exciting knowing there is something to work towards with PGA Tour cards on offer at the end of the season.”

The Hero Indian Open will take place at the DLF Golf & Country Club from March 27–30.