Local golfers eye Challenge Tour spot as Clutch Pro Tour returns to the UAE

The Clutch Pro Tour takes centre stage this week with the UAE Championship at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club, offering players the chance to qualify for next month’s Abu Dhabi Challenge on the Challenge Tour as well as a tidy £8,000 prize for the winner.

Since its inception in 2019, the Clutch Pro Tour has rapidly established itself as one of golf’s premier development circuits. Recognised with Official World Golf Ranking accreditation and designated as an Official Satellite Tour to the Challenge Tour and DP World Tour, it has provided a competitive platform for rising stars.  

Among its notable alumni is Andy Sullivan, a four-time DP World Tour winner, who secured victory in the 2020 Clutch Pro Tour Major at Stoneham Golf Club after a play-off against Richard Bland.

Returning to the UAE for the second consecutive year, the newly launched UAE Championship has attracted a mix of local talent and international hopefuls.

Local interest come in the form Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club professional Tom Ogilvie and Tommy Fleetwood Academy professional Jackson Bell, while local amateurs such as Sara Engsig, Jay Mullane, and Ahmad Skaik will also tee it up.

The field also features an exciting lineup of emerging professionals eager to make their mark, including 2023 Clutch Pro Tour graduate Curtis Knipes and Sam Westwood, the son of former World No.1 Lee Westwood.

 “These are exciting times for the Clutch Pro Tour as we look forward to event number one on this season’s calendar,” said Tom Hayward, Clutch Pro Tour CEO.

“We are impressed to have attracted a full field of 156 players to play at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club in the UAE.

“An enhancement for this 2025 season is that this is one of the events where the winner receives an invite to play in the Hotel Planner Tour (formerly the Challenge Tour) event, again at Al Ain from April 17-20 - one of two events on the HotelPlanner Tour being hosted next month, aligned with the host sanctioning body, the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF).”

After concluding their stop in Al Ain, the Clutch Pro Tour will move on to Oman for a double-header event, followed by its inaugural visit to Morocco for another two-tournament stretch.

 The expansion into the Land of the Sunset is a result of the tour’s partnership with Visit Morocco. This collaboration aims to enhance the tour’s presence in Morocco and aligns with its long-term strategy to grow both the circuit and its global footprint.

 “We’re pleased and incredibly proud to announce this partnership with Visit Morocco for the 2025 season,” said Hayward.

“This partnership is one of many new agreements for the 2025 season, reflecting the growth and development of the tour product. To represent Morocco and The Kingdom of Light this year is something that the entire team is looking forward to, and we can’t wait for the partnership to get underway.

"We’re looking forward to visiting Morocco as part of our International Series, and we look forward to working closely with our new Tourism partner and showcasing the incredible country of Morocco.”

The 2025 Clutch Pro Tour schedule will feature at least 19 events, with the majority hosted in the UK following the double-header in Morocco.

The tour will make its return to the UAE in October with an event at Al Zorah Golf Club in Ajman, before concluding the season with the Tour Championship at Al Hamra Golf Club in Ras Al Khaimah.

The season’s top three players on the Order of Merit will secure Challenge Tour cards for the 2026 season.