As the Saudi International gears up for its big tee-off on Thursday, Dubai resident MG Keyser is delighted to be ready to go up against some of the world’s best golfers.
The South African — who has lived in the UAE for almost a decade — qualified for the Asian Tour’s flagship $5 million event, which will see the likes of Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson, Sergio Garcia, Shane Lowry and Henrik Stenson lining up in a 120-strong field.
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Keyser earned his place through the Abu Dhabi qualifier and is already getting in the swing at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in Jeddah.
“I’m fitting in nicely,” Asian Tour player Keyser told Gulf News after a practice round in Saudi Arabia. “But this is familiar territory for me. I have played here before and it is quite like the course in Abu Dhabi. The wind picks up here a bit in the afternoon and I am looking forward to that. The past few events on the Asian Tour in Singapore it has been breezy so I have had nice preparations.
“I secured my place in Abu Dhabi and, having been on the Asian Tour for such a long time, it is great to play the Saudi International for the first time.
I will be playing against some of the best players from the PGA, Europe and Asian tors but the beauty of this event is how we go in to it.
“I have been in the UAE for eight years and I have got where I am on merit. I am not relying on invitations and everyone here has earned their right to play this week and — from that point of view — everyone is on a level playing field, and it will be exciting. We are all out there for 72 holes doing the same thing and everyone has the same chance. It will be fun.”
Keyser is out on Thursday morning at 8.50am alongside local amateur Saud Sharif and India’s Khalin Joshi.
