Ahmad Skaik became only the second Emirati to make the cut at the prestigious Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, after his 36-hole score of two under par saw him comfortably progress to the weekend at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.
Ten years after Ahmed Al Musharrekh played his way into the history books by making the cut at Singapore Island Country Club, Skaik shot a level par 71 over the Championship Course to become the only player from the GCC to make the cut at this year’s event.
“I’m very happy,” said Skaik. “Coming into this, I didn’t think I was going to make the cut because I haven’t been playing well. I had a lesson with my coach two days before the tournament and I felt much better, and in control of my game, so happy to be here.
“Now I can play relaxed because I’ve made the cut, which was my goal, but now let’s hope tomorrow I can strike it well and just get the putter rolling as well.”
At one point in the day, the former UAE Presidents Cup champion had reached four under par as he looked to hunt down some of the world’s greatest amateurs, including two-time defending champion Yuxin Lin.
But two dropped shots on his final three holes left Skaik settling for a level par round, six back from leader Bo Jin, who carded a sublime seven under par 64.
“It was a struggle out there,” said Skaik. “I didn’t hit it well, and struggled off the tee and with my irons, but my putting was on and my wedges, so that helped me. I got to two under for the round but bogeyed 16 and 18.
“I didn’t really pay attention to the leaderboard, I was just trying to focus on my own game. Just stay patient and wait for it. The front nine I didn’t hit it well and I finished level par and then managed to make two birdies on 10 and 14 I think. I putted pretty well, except for 16 and 18, some very difficult long putts which were very similar. But I’m happy, level par is fine.”
Skaik’s fellow UAE National Team player, Khalid Yousuf Al Jasmi, who is also captain of the Emirati side, failed to join his compatriot after a disastrous triple bogey on the fourth. Despite the difficult start, Al Jasmi remained composed to play his final 14 holes at one over par to finish his tournament on nine over.
“I tried my best today but it just didn’t happen,” said Al Jasmi. “Sadly had a disaster on the fourth, where I made a triple bogey on an easy par five, but I held it together nicely and only came back in one over the rest of the way so I was quite happy.
“Ahmad is a super, super golfer with a great action. He’s got a good head on his shoulders, as long as he carries on the way he’s going, I think he has a chance potentially to turn pro.”
