Dubai-born golfer Rayhan Thomas (IND) kicked off his DP World Tour Qualifying School with a remarkable four-under-par 68, landing him in a tied 8th position after the first round at Donnington Grove Golf Club in Newbury, England. This tournament is the seventh out of nine First Stage Qualifiers, and the top 21 players, including ties, will proceed to the Second Stage of Q-School in Spain. The current leaders are players from Venezuela and Germany, both shooting a six under par.
At 24 years old, Rayhan, who recently turned professional in June 2024, started with eight pars and then scored a birdie on the ninth hole, finishing one under 35 on the first nine. He continued his strong performance on the back nine with additional birdies on holes 12, 13, 17, and 18, with only one bogey on the fifteenth hole. Reflecting on the day, Rayhan mentioned that playing at Donnington Grove proved to be a challenging test of golf, particularly with the early wind. Despite a solid day, he acknowledged that it is just the first round, with more golf left to be played.
The 72-hole event features a field of 102 players, with Rayhan scheduled to tee off at 7.52 am in the second round alongside amateur Kris Kim from England. Kim, who has represented England and Europe in various championships, started with a score of 76 in the first round. Notably, Kim gained attention as the youngest player to make the cut on the PGA Tour since 2015 when he performed well at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in Texas.
For further information on the DP World Tour Qualifying School and updates on Rayhan Thomas and Kris Kim’s performance, visit the official website of the European Tour at www.europeantour.com. The tournament is set to highlight talented golfers from around the world as they compete for a chance to advance in the prestigious Q-School stages and secure their spots in future golfing events. Stay tuned for more details and results from this exciting tournament in England.
