Mullane and Intissar triumph at UAE Championships; Carruthers dominates to secure UAE Cup title

In a strong display of talent at the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club, Sam Mullane claimed victory in the National Men’s Championship where he overcame the formidable three-time champion Ahmad Skaik.

Competing alongside the Emirates Golf Federation’s UAE Cup sponsored by HSBC, Mullane delivered impressive rounds of 71 and 68, finishing three strokes ahead of both Skaik and Jonathan Selvaraj.

Instissar Rich might not have been at her best in the second and final rounds but did enough to claim the UAE National Women's Championship from Faye Alblooshi.

Rich returned rounds of 72 and 79 for a two-round total ofss61 while Alblooshii scored rounds of 85. 79 for a 36-hole total of 164.

Mullane and Rich’s victories mark significant milestones, showcasing the depth of talent within the UAE golfing community and setting the tone for an exciting season ahead.

“Today I was much happier with my game than in the previous rounds,” said Mullane. “I holed some good putts on both 15 and 18. Next for me if the Dubai Hills Golf Club Open and then the Pan Arab Golf Championship at Al Hamra – hopefully, I will get selected.”

Meanwhile, Australia’s Coby Carruthers showcased his dominance throughout the prestigious UAE Cup, leading from start to finish to capture the crown. His exceptional performance not only highlighted his skills but also set the stage for a thrilling day of golf in Al Ain, making it a memorable event for players and spectators alike.

Carruthers rounds were 66. 69 and 67 for an eight under par 54-hole total to win by four shots from a group of three players on four under from Thailand, Switzerland and his fellow Australian Jye Halls.

He started double bogey-bogey in the final round, to be three over par after two holes. He then managed four birdies in a row from tee 4 and further birdies on holes 12 and 16 to come home in 33 for a three-under round – with no further bogeys or drama.

“I was a little nervous at the end – but overall, I am very happy with my week,” Carruthers, 19 years old, said on the sidelines of the prize presentation, “I came into it not playing that well. I will 100% take up the Challenge Tour invite back here in the UAE in 2025 as well as the spot in the Final Qualifying Stage in the Asian Tour Qualifying School in December 2024.

“I want to congratulate my Australian team-mates here this week – Jye Halls who came tied second in the Men’s Elite Division and the Ladies Elite players from Australia: Ella Scaysbrook who came second and Rachel Lee who came third.

“We have all had a fun time in Al Ain and the UAE and done everything together,” Carruthers added. “I want to thank the EGF, the golf club and Al Ain for their generous hospitality for all the players and officials this week – it has been very special.

“It has been a most rewarding and pretty successful week for all of us NSW guys and gals. I look forward to defending the 2025 UAE Cup – hopefully, I get selected to represent my country again,” he added.

“My next event is the New South Wales Open in a couple of weeks – we will all spend the day in Dubai as tourists tomorrow and then fly home to Australia in the evening.”

In the Elite Ladies’ Division, Prim Prachnakorn (Thailand) finished on four under par for 54 holes. The 16-year-old playing off a +5 handicap golfer, will make her debut in a LET event. She said after her victory, ‘I am on the Thai National Team and this is one of the best wins of my career. It is the end of the season for me so next up with be a Thai National Training Camp.’

The Elite Division is a qualifier for World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points – supported by The R&A. Players from 30 countries, including the hosts from the UAE competed.

General Abdullah Al Hashmi, General Abdullah Al Hashmi, Vice Chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF), emerged victorious in the seniors’ category, and Mohammed Thabet triumphed among the juniors.

Over the weekend, the Future Falcons hosted two Par-3 Championships, featuring more than 90 talented young golfers in both a mixed and a UAE Nationals edition.

The Nationals tournament saw Maitha Almaazmi claim victory in the Girls’ Red category, while Mansoor Al Awadhi took the top spot in the Boys’ Red category. Shamma Al Hosani triumphed in the Girls’ Blue category, and Zayed Ali Abubaker won the Boys’ Blue category.

In the Open tournament, Yasmeen El Husseini won the Girls’ Red Gross category, George Pendleton Nash secured the Boys’ Blue Gross title, and Mohammad Ayaan took first place in the Mixed Net Championship.

“It’s an honour to see such high-calibre competition here, and I’m proud of our national golfers who performed so well on home soil," General Abdullah.

“The UAE CUP, sponsored by HSBC, has set a new standard for amateur golf in the region. Seeing the skills displayed over these past few days has been both inspiring and a testament to the growth of golf in our nation. I look forward to seeing this tournament flourish in the years to come.”

Results (Par 70).

Elite Men

Carruthers (Aus) 66. 69. 67. 202.

Sarasmut (Thai) 73. 68. 65. 206.

Halls (Aus) 69. 70. 67. 206.

J-L. Aeschlimann (Swi) 69. 66. 71. 206.

Elite Ladies

Prachnakorn (Thai) 68. 70. 68. 206.

Scaysbrook (Aus) 72. 69. 69. 210.

Lee (Aus) 73. 68. 70. 211.

UAE National Men’s Championship

(36-holes)

Mullane (UAE) 71. 68. 139.

Skaik (UAE) 66. 76. 142.

Selvaraj (UAE) 68. 74. 142.

Ahmed (UAE) 70. 73. 143.