Skaik to share spotlight with world stars McIlroy, Morikawa at Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Ahmad Skaik is set to line up alongside Major winners Rory McIlroy, Collin Morikawa and Adam Scott at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, from January 20-23, following an invite from Abu Dhabi Sports Council as the No.1 ranked UAE National Amateur.

The Emirates’ top golfer Skaik joins fellow local amateur Josh Hill in the field competing to take home the iconic Falcon Trophy. Hill qualified following triumph in the Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship in December and will compete in the prestigious Championship for the second year running.

In the 17th edition of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, as well as facing off against McIlroy, Morikawa and Scott, Skaik will go head-to-head with a star-studded list of the world’s best including defending champion Tyrrell Hatton plus former winners Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry and Lee Westwood, in the first Rolex Series event of the 2022 DP World Tour season.

The 24-year-old Emirati has gone from strength to strength following his debut at the tournament two years ago, and he made history last November, firing an opening round of 68 at the Aviv Dubai Championship 2021, the best round by an Emirati at a DP World Tour event.

Skaik also triumphed in the 2020 UAE Presidents Cup, and heads into the tournament relishing the opportunity to play alongside some of the world’s biggest golf stars.

Skaik commented: “It is an honour to be invited to play in Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and to compete on the DP World Tour alongside these superstar names. I’m looking forward to taking on the Yas Links golf course, and I know it will be a different experience for lots of the players. Hopefully, I can use my local knowledge and experience to my advantage.

“I had a fantastic experience in the previous two years, and I hope to make more memories this week. I’m always looking to improve, and I feel in good form, striking the ball well. I’m thankful to the Abu Dhabi Sports Council for this opportunity and I hope I can inspire the next generation of golfers in the UAE.”

Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council adds: “We are delighted to welcome back Ahmad to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship for the third year running. He is the shining star of Emirati golf and destined to achieve great things in the future. We look forward to seeing how Ahmad fares alongside some of the greats at this year’s tournament and back him wholeheartedly as our local inspiration.”