Louis Gaughan will make his European Challenge Tour debut when he tees it up in this week’s Abu Dhabi Challenge at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, the first of back-to-back events in the Emirate.
The image of Louis Gaughan must be credited to NT-min.
The Challenge Tour returns to the UAE for the first time since 2018 as part of the long-term partnership between the European Tour group and Emirates Golf Federation, where 30 spots have been allocated to the Emirates Golf Federation in each event to provide a pathway for both Emirati golfers and residents of the UAE.
The Scotsman, who resides in Abu Dhabi, won the Emirates PGA Championship last week to secure his place in the Abu Dhabi Challenge and he is now looking to take full advantage of the opportunity.
“It's amazing, I'm really looking forward to it,” he said. “It's the first time I'd have played in such a big event. I've got no expectations. I'd normally be at work, teaching golf, so to be out playing is a nice change.
“I’m just delighted to get the opportunity to play and to see how my game matches up. I feel like my golf is pretty good, but until you play against these guys that are playing on Tour each week, it's hard to see where you're at. It’ll be good to get an idea of the level and to just enjoy the experience of playing in a big event.”
Despite living in the region, the 29-year-old admits he’s only played at Abu Dhabi Golf Club on two occasions, and he is utilising the practice round to play the course from the back tees for the first time.
“I played here last week and played well,” he said. “I think the par fives provide good opportunities and if you drive the ball well it's quite a scoreable golf course so I'm sure some of the guys will go low this week.”
Gaughan joins a star-studded field in Abu Dhabi this week as 19 former DP World Tour winners with a combined 46 top tier wins between them tee it up, including seven-time DP World Tour winner Álvaro Quirós and five-time winner David Howell.
Abu Dhabi has hosted 18 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championships, including five as part of the Rolex Series, but over the next two weeks will host Challenge Tour events for the first time. This has been made possible thanks to both golf clubs - Abu Dhabi Golf Club and Saadiyat Beach Golf Club - and the support of the Emirates Golf Federation and sponsors ARENA, Phoenix Capital and Al Laith.
