The HotelPlanner Tour arrives in the United Arab Emirates for the first of two events in partnership with the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF). Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club in Ajman is the venue for the UAE Challenge, and here are three players to look out for...
Form horse: Joshua Berry
Joshua Berry came within touching distance of winning back-to-back HotelPlanner Tour titles after losing in a playoff to Quim Vidal at last month’s Delhi Challenge, and the Englishman is the form player heading into the UAE swing. In his most recent outing, Berry teed it up on the DP World Tour and finished tied sixth at the Hero Indian Open, his best finish on Golf’s Global Tour to date. The 19-year-old, currently second in the Road to Mallorca Rankings, will be looking to close the gap to Number One Daniel Van Tonder, with the South African not in this week’s field. Berry also has previous at the UAE Challenge, having finished inside the top 25 last year.
Local boy: Ahmad Skaik
The EGF’s partnership with the European Tour group means that UAE amateur Ahmad Skaik will once again tee it up at the UAE Challenge. The 27-year-old made his HotelPlanner Tour debut at the 2023 Abu Dhabi Challenge and has competed in ten HotelPlanner Tour events over the past two years. Skaik heads to Ajman fresh off a stunning performance at the 2025 GCC Golf Championship in Saudi Arabia. With rounds of 67-69-66-68 at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, Skaik finished 15 shots clear of second on 18 under par, the biggest winning margin in the competition’s history. The 27-year-old’s standout display also helped the UAE win team gold and end the week 37 strokes ahead of second place Qatar. Skaik is certainly one to keep an eye on given his recent form.
The outsider: Pedro Figueiredo
Portuguese Pedro Figueiredo has steadily climbed the Rankings since starting his HotelPlanner Tour season at the NTT DATA Pro Am at Fancourt Golf Estate in South Africa. The 33-year-old finished inside the top 20 at the Kolkata Challenge before a sixth place at the Delhi Challenge catapulted him to 34th in the Rankings. Figueiredo signed for a final round five under par 67 at Classic Golf & Country Club to end the week 15 under par. Given the Portuguese’s recent form, his rise up the Rankings could continue at Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club.
