Fresh off an action-packed year on the MENA Golf Tour, Ahmed Al Musharrekh, the UAE’s first golf professional, will tee off his 2015 season at next week’s 10th anniversary Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.

The Sharjah-born Emirati will take on some of the game’s biggest names, including world No1 Rory McIlroy, world No2 Henrik Stenson and Rickie Fowler.

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After carding his best results to date on this season’s MENA Golf Tour, Al Musharrekh’s sights are now firmly set on making the cut at Abu Dhabi Golf Club this month in his fourth attempt in the event.

“I feel I’ve come a long way since teeing off my season in Abu Dhabi last January,” Al Musharrekh said.

“Playing against the world’s best inspires and motivates me to continue to build my game, which is an experience that I hope to share with other Emirati golfers aspiring to break into professional ranks.”

Al Musharrekh first competed in the Championship as a fresh-faced 19-year-old in 2010 before returning in 2012, a year that saw him narrowly miss the cut in the Dubai Desert Classic and kick off his professional career on the MENA Tour.

“Whilst the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship provides a tough challenge and the National Course demands a lot of focus, it’s a tournament which I very much enjoy taking part in,” he said.

“The home crowd is extremely supportive. “I learnt a lot last season and have taken the positives from some of my better results in the MENA Golf Tour – I’m looking forward to testing my progress in Abu Dhabi this January.”