Kochi: A promising golfer from Kerala has matched a world record in amateur golf in the Dubai Creek Open Golf Championship. Rayhan Thomas (17) scored nine back-to-back birdies to match the record set by American golfer Mark Calcavecchia in the RBC Canadian Open in 2009.
Thomas finished each hole by playing one par less than allowed. “I knew this was going to be my day when I made two birdies. I am happy. I like golf. I want to claim world titles,” Thomas said.
The teenager has already bagged laurels in several international events. The top ranking amateur golfer in India, Thomas ranks 50th in the world.
He had finished second runner-up in the US Junior Amateur Match Play Championship in Kansas. He lost to Noah Goodwin who went on to claim the title. Thomas is the first Indian to reach the semifinals of the tournament, which has seen legends such as Tiger Woods vying for the honor.
Thomas is also the first amateur golfer to win the Middle East and North America Tour.
Thomas lives with his parents in Dubai. His father John Thomas is the chief executive of an oil firm. Thomas and his wife Neena trace their roots to Kottayam.
The young golfer trains in the Butch Harmon School of Golf in Dubai.
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