Skaik leads Emirati hopes as 144-strong international field arrives in Al Ain

Leading Emirati professional Ahmad Skaik heads the home challenge as 144 players from 25 countries prepare to tee it up at the Abu Dhabi Challenge, which begins at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club.

The HotelPlanner Tour event is back in the Al Ain Region for a third successive year. It is co-organised by the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) and supported by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and this year's edition coincides with Al Ain's designation as Arab Tourism Capital 2026.

Freddie Schmeisser, Managing Director, Tournament & Operations Middle East, DP World Tour, said: "It's fantastic to see the Abu Dhabi Challenge come together, and it creates real momentum for the UAE as it continues to establish itself as one of the world's great destinations for international sport. Having players from around the world here in Al Ain is a reflection of the confidence the global sporting community has in the country, built over many years of hosting world-class events to the highest standards.

"Golf has been a big part of that story, and working with the Emirates Golf Federation and Abu Dhabi Sports Council, we're proud to be adding another chapter to it this week."

The players share that confidence. Ireland's Liam Nolan is 43rd on the Road to Mallorca Rankings, just inside the top 45 who qualify for the season-ending Grand Final in Mallorca, and was determined to make the trip to Al Ain.

"I have complete faith in the European Tour Group that they are monitoring every situation, and if they say it's okay to come then I trust them," said Nolan. "I'm glad to be able to play another golf tournament this week and not have to have a week off!

"I always love coming here. It was a bit of a shame we weren't able to come here in April, because it's always such a lovely two weeks over in the UAE, but I'm glad we were able to do this one for sure. It's great preparation for the end of the season over in China: getting used to the heat, and great courses again.

"It's an amazing course. The Middle East has so many unbelievable courses and this is definitely one of them. It's in great condition again this year and I'm really looking forward to the next few days."

In 2025, Skaik became the first Emirati to make the cut in a European Tour group event. This week's event is his first HotelPlanner Tour start of the season after a year focused on the Asian Tour, and his older brother Fadi will caddie for him for the first time.

"It's always amazing to play such events at home, where we know the courses, and I'm looking forward to it," said Skaik. "The game is getting better, it's feeling good. It's a long course and the greens are pretty firm, and it's pretty tight, so driving it well off the tee is one of the main keys here.

"I want to do much better than just making the cut. I'm just going to go out there, enjoy it, hit every shot the best I can and see where that puts us.

"We've never done it before [with Fadi caddying], so hopefully he'll be my good luck charm. It's good to have someone who knows me well, and I know him well. He's my older brother, so we'll have fun out there together."

 Skaik and Ahmed Al Musharrekh (UAE) take up EGF places this week. The federation has also invited Garrick Porteous, David Gray, Jackson Bell, Damien Scott and amateur Jay Mullane. As part of the EGF's partnership with the HotelPlanner Tour, places are also exchanged with other national federations, opening up playing opportunities for UAE players at events around the world.

"It's really good," said Skaik of the partnership. "These are some of the best players in the world. You have former DP World Tour players and people who are going to make it big in the future. It's helped me a lot. I've played so many of these events, here and in Europe, and I would love to keep playing."

Also chasing a strong week is England's Bradley Bawden. He is 70th on the Rankings, the last player currently inside the cut-off for the Final Swing, which starts in China next week with the Hainan Open and Hangzhou Open. He finished seventh at the Abu Dhabi Challenge in 2024 with rounds of 63-69-65-64 for a 19-under-par total.

"It was a bit of everything two years ago," said Bawden. "I hit the ball well and got it in play off the tee, and if you're in the fairway you can attack some of the pins, so if I can do that again I should be okay.

"It would be great to extend my season. I started this year with very limited starts and I've managed to play half a season, which is great. I'm looking forward to the opportunity this week."