Oman's Azzan Al Rumhy practices on the National Course at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Pavan Sagoo (Mena Tour) will strike the first tee shot in the UAE qualifier for the Saudi International on the National Course at Abu Dhabi Golf Club on Wednesday.

37 Pros and 10 Arab National Amateurs are competing in the event.

A number of local and international entries have tested positive for Covid-19 before travelling and have been isolated in their respective home bases according to their government protocol and will not travel or compete.

Recent Arab National Amateur entries to the two-day 36 hole event include Azzan Al Rumhy (Oman) and Ahmed Al Wahaibi (Oman). Players representing Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman and Qatar are also competing.

The professional entry list in the draw includes entries from the UAE PGA, from the following UAE golf clubs: Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Al Ruwais Golf Club (Abu Dhabi), Arabian Ranches Golf Club, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Trump International Golf Club.

‘On behalf of all the UAE PGA and all our 112 Pros based and working in the UAE we want to thank all the organizers and sponsors for the invitation to support this UAE Qualifier for the Saudi International,’ said David Gray, CEO of the UAE PGA, based in Dubai.

MG Keyser (RSA), representing Jumeirah Golf Estates from the Asian Tour, and Pros from the following countries: Austria, Sweden, Bahrain, England, Ireland, Egypt, amongst others, are taking part.

The UAE Qualifier supported by Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Golf Saudi and the Asian Tour will see two Arab National Amateurs and two Pros qualify for the $5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers to be held at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, KAEC. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from February 3-6 on the Asian Tour.

The second round of the qualifier will be played on Thursday with the leaders out last in their respective Divisions; the Pro Division and the Arab National Amateur Division.