Joshua White set for European Tour debut in Dubai

Dubai: Joshua White is preparing for his European Tour debut at this month’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club fresh from a creditable performance at the Asian Tour’s inaugural season-ending Dubai Open last month.

The 2014 Mena Golf Tour Order of Merit champion spearheaded a list of 11 out of 24 Mena players to make the cut at The Els Club event with an admirable tied for 24th seven-under-par finish, nine strokes behind winner Arjun Atwal of India.

“I think my biggest takeaway from that tournament was an increased confidence in my ability to play golf at any level,” said the 23-year-old Englishman. “I didn’t really feel any pressure and it was just nice to come out and play with some of the big names.”

White will be joined by fellow Mena Tour players Luke Joy, Zane Scotland and James Allan at the Desert Classic, which runs from January 29 to February 1.

“Spots in the Desert Classic are the biggest incentive for Mena Tour players and it’s very pleasing to achieve that,” added White, who totalled two wins and one second in the nine-stage Mena Tour last year. “A lot of the Mena players are very good. When they are on their day, they are as good as players on any other tour.”

Also making his European Tour debut will be Joy, who boasted two wins and a second to finish second in the Mena Tour rankings, before a tied for 51st one over par finish at the Dubai Open.

“If I continue to play the way I did on the Mena Tour, I think I stand a good chance of posting a good finish at the Desert Classic,” said Joy. “It’s all thanks to the Mena Tour, who have given us these opportunities to play in big tournaments.

“Where else can you get the opportunity to play in world-class events like the Dubai Open and Desert Classic?”

Scotland, who finished third on last season’s Mena Tour with two wins and one third place finish, before finishing tied for 62nd on five over par at the Dubai Open, will be making his third appearance at the Desert Classic.

Meanwhile, Allan, who was last year’s Mena Tour top amateur before missing the cut at the Dubai Open, is looking to make amends on his European Tour debut.

“I know there are many big names in the field,” said Allan. “But I have faith in my abilities. You can’t put a price on what you learn from European Tour events — it’s an opportunity money can’t buy.”