The UAE's Rayan Ahmed will go up against Tiger Woods’ son, Charlie, at next month’s U.S. Junior Amateur at Oakland Hills Country Club.
The 15-year-old Woods earned his spot with a one under par 71 he shot Wednesday at Eagle Trace Golf Club in Coral Springs, Florida. He earned one of the four qualifying spots and was the only player to finish under par.
The prestigious tournament, which begins on July 22, is considered among the most difficult of all USGA championships to win, with 64 from around 250 participants qualifying for the match play competition following two rounds of stroke play.
Ahmed, 17, had already booked his spot in the tournament as the 78th highest ranked amateur under the age of 18 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), and is now relishing the opportunity to compete against a member of the Woods family.
“It’s amazing to be playing and competing with absolutely the top juniors in the world, and to top it off, to see the likes of Charlie Woods and hopefully his dad is extremely exciting,” said Ahmed, who will be the first player to represent the UAE in the tournaments 76-year history.
“Yet I am laser focused on the goal which is to make the cut and do the utmost best in the match play.”
Ahmed could well see the elder Woods on site, with the 15-time Major champion regularly caddying for his son on the junior circuit in the United States.
Tiger Woods enjoyed great success at the U.S. Junior Amateur in the early nineties, winning three consecutive titles from 1991-93, before embarking on one of the greatest professional careers in the world of sport.
For Ahmed, he has plenty more to look forward to this summer after enjoying an impressive few months.
The youngster won the Individual Gold and Team Gold at the GCC Golf Championship, finsihed atop the leaderboard at the GCC Youth Games and carded a four under par 66 on his Challenge Tour debut at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club.
“After the US Junior at Oakland Hills, I have also been invited to play at the Junior PGA Championships at the iconic Congressional Country Club,” Ahmed added.
“I look forward to another strong display.”
The Junior PGA Championships begin on July 30.
