TOUR NEWS
JMC Sport is delighted to announce rising star Rayhan Thomas from India is the latest player to join the golf stable and is already making his mark in the professional game with his recent win on home soil.
The 24-year-old turned professional in June 2024 and secured his latest professional win at the KGiSL Presents Coimbatore Open 2024 Powered by Prima Donna, while making his debut on the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI). Thomas carded rounds of 70, 67, 69, 66 for a winning total of 14-under to win by one from fellow countryman Manu Gandas in second. He became only the second player to win on his maiden PGTI appearance.
“After sinking that final putt, I just wanted to hug my uncle (Maj. Thomas), who was caddying for me. He had been there for me all week and that meant a lot to me,” said Thomas after winning in only his fourth professional appearance.
“It was a really good round today, in fact my best of the week. I had a little scare on the 17th but then did well to salvage the situation by playing a quality chip on that hole to stay ahead and then producing a couple of good shots on the last hole. The pressure was off when I knew I could make a two-putt to win on the 18th.
Thomas has his roots in Kerala, India but is based in Dubai, where his parents and family still reside, but represented India during his amateur days. He spent five years on a scholarship at Oklahoma State University and featured prominently at one of the leading golf colleges in the United States.
He is one of the hottest prospects to emerge from the Emirates in recent times. He became the first amateur to win on the MENA Tour after being crowned champion at the Dubai Creek Open in 2016, aged just 16. A year later the 17-year-old equalled the world record (set by Mark Calcavecchia) of nine consecutive birdies in a round of 61 when he finished runner-up in the event
He also won the 2020 King Hamad Trophy, a professional event in Bahrain.
The latest JMC Sport signing is enjoying life in the paid ranks, and his main goal is to make it onto the PGA Tour.
“The final goal is to compete on the PGA Tour,” said Thomas. “I think I still have a lot of refining to do; there are parts of my game that definitely still need to get better, but I think overall, my understanding of the game and my GOLF IQ is high enough to compete out there.”
Caption: Champion Rayhan Thomas receives the trophy from Mr. Prassadh Shanmugam, CEO – KGiSL. The other dignitaries seen in the picture are (left to right) Mr. Sampath Chari, Tournament Director, PGTI, Mr. R Gopinath, President, Coimbatore Golf Club and Mr. D Ravichandran, Honorary Secretary, Coimbatore Golf Club.