Abu Dhabi: Emirati amateur Ahmad Al Musharrakh is quickly shifting his attention to the Omega Dubai Desert Classic after a disappointing 18 over par 162 (82, 80) saw him finish second from last in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship yesterday.
UAE-based professional Stuart Fee, meanwhile, ended up at the bottom on 29 over par 173 (87, 86).
Al Musharrakh, who ended the Mena Tour as the top-ranked Emirati, earned only his second European Tour invite for good regional performances with the UAE team last year, when he finished 24th at the Asian Amateurs, 14th at the Nomura Cup, third in the Arab Championships and winning two golds at the Arab Games.
However, despite finishing on four over par 148 (77, 71) in Abu Dhabi in 2010, Al Musharrakh couldn't push on in 2012 to become the first Emirati to make a professional tour event cut. But he hopes to revive his chances in Dubai next month.
Lack of preparation
"I'm disappointed. My goal was to make the cut but I'm still learning. This is an experience which I got a lot out of. My putting was really good but my swing wasn't there. Off the tee I was hitting rough and you have to hit the fairway if you want to shoot well. I'm going to work on my driver and irons and get my swing as consistent as I can," said the talented Emirati.
"I did way better here in 2010. But I was working on different things and this has happened at a bad time when I didn't have my ‘A' game together. I came straight from Q-School last time and had that rhythm going so it's just about playing more.
"It's been a while since I played a tour event. I'm sure I can build on the positives and take my best game into the Classic. Obviously I'll try and make the cut in the Classic to prove that I'm able to.
"I can go under par in these events — I proved that in 2010 — it's just a matter of getting used to having so many people watching and having the spotlight and media attention on me. I don't have that much in amateur golf. So I'm getting used to that and I want to play more of these events. Maybe during the summer I'll travel around and play more pro events. I definitely want to get a spot here again next year."
