Hello, readers of Worldwide Golf! It’s Rayhan Thomas here, and I’m thrilled to introduce myself as the latest columnist for the region’s No.1 golf magazine. First things first, a massive shoutout to the WWG team for the feature of me and my family on the January cover. The response has been overwhelming, as friends from across the globe have reached out, and yes, even my parents are basking in a bit of fame. Thank you for making this milestone so special!
Let me share a bit about myself. Born and raised in Dubai, I’m now 25 years old. Ironically the same age as Worldwide Golf!
My journey in the sport took a significant leap forward when I completed a five-year scholarship at Oklahoma State University last May. On June 1st, 2024, I officially turned professional, and it’s been a whirlwind of golf ever since.
Over the past six months, I’ve been fortunate to compete in tournaments around the globe, from England to India to Morocco, to Thailand. One of the highlights of my career to date was claiming my first professional victory on the PGTI in India. I also secured top-10 finishes on the Asian Tour in both Morocco and Thailand, experiences that were as enriching as they were challenging.
In pursuit of my dreams, I’ve faced some near-misses too. I came close to earning my DP World Tour Card, falling just short in the final stage of Qualifying School in Spain. A tied-30th finish over six gruelling rounds wasn’t quite enough, but it did grant me some playing privileges on the Challenge Tour.
On to brighter news. I headed to Florida for the PGA Tour Qualifying School presented by Korn Ferry and walked away with my 2025 Korn Ferry Tour Card! Shooting rounds of 70, 72, 71, and 68 to finish tied-26th at one over par secured me at least 12 starts on this prestigious tour. Every opportunity to compete is a step closer to the dream, and I’m determined to make the most of it.
The Korn Ferry Tour has already been an exciting chapter. My first two starts this January took place in the Bahamas. Yes I know, not a bad place to begin the year! In my debut as a cardholder, I finished tied-27th with a solid nine-under-par performance across four rounds, which included 19 birdies. It was a great introduction to the standard of competition.
Last week, I stepped it up at The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic at The Abaco Club. Rounds of 69, 69, 68, and 65 saw me finish tied-7th at 17 under par. The winning score? An incredible 25 under par! Golf at this level is no joke, but these results give me confidence for what lies ahead. Currently, I’m sitting tied-13th on the Korn Ferry Order of Merit Rankings. Time to reassess and raise the bar for 2025.
This week, I’ll be teeing it up at The Panama Championship at Club de Golf de Panama, with a prize fund of $1 million. It’s a return to the traditional Thursday-Sunday format after two unique Sunday-Thursday events in the Bahamas. Let’s see how it plays out.
I’m excited to connect with you all through this column. Over the coming months, I’ll share not just the scores and stats but the behind-the-scenes stories of life on tour. It’s a journey full of lessons, surprises, and, most importantly, growth. Wish me luck and follow my progress, at least the printable parts!
Until next time, Rayhan Thomas
