Dubai-born sensation Rayhan Thomas admits his approach play wasn’t good enough as he posted a first round one over par 73 at the Asian Tour’s International Series England.
The 24-year-old, who recently turned pro after graduating from the University of Oklahoma, received an invitation into this week’s event at Foxhills after impressing on his Asian Tour debut at International Series Morocco where he finished in a share of eighth.
And he continued that fine form on the opening hole, making birdie at the tenth, his first, to quickly move into the red at Chertsey.
He gave that shot straight back on the next hole after making bogey, before adding another blemish to his scorecard on the 17th. He bounced back immediately with a birdie on the 18th, but that would be the final one of the day, with the Indian parring every hole on his back nine aside from a bogey at the second to sign for 73.
“I hit it very poorly into the greens, my approach play wasn’t good enough,” Thomas told Gulf News after his round.
“That cost me as I wasn’t able to make any birdies. I drove it well, putting was fine but I just wasn’t able to hit it close enough.
“It’s a good, fun course with a lot of birdies out there but you need to be focussed on every single shot.
“I’m not too worried, I’ve just got to hit the ball better. Hopefully the wind picks up this afternoon and I’m not too far away.”
At the time of writing, Thomas currently sits in a share of 80th with the afternoon wave still playing.
He sits nine strokes off the lead after Richard T. Lee surged to the summit of the leaderboard on eight under par, with the Canadian carding six birdies and an eagle.
Among those teeing off in the afternoon wave are LIV Golf’s Richard Bland and Thomas Pieters, who won the DP World Tour’s Abu Dhbai HSBC Championship in 2022.
