Callum Shinkwin is the leader in the Emirates

In the United Arab Emirates, in the first round of the Ras Al Khaimah Championship at Al Hamra GC (par 72) in Ras Al Khaimah, Callum Shinkwin is the leader. The Englishman achieved a remarkable score of 62 (-10) strokes, supported by 11 birdies, including five consecutive at the start and the same number in the last six holes played. He only made one bogey. In second place in the rankings we find his compatriot Richard Mansell with 64 (-8), equal with the South African Brandon Stone.

Shinkwin, results

In the DP World Tour tournament, which represents the third event of the International Swing, Filippo Celli had a good start. The Roman placed twentieth with 68 (-4) strokes, thanks to six birdies in 17 holes. His performance, so far without errors, was somewhat tarnished by a double bogey on the 18th hole. Other Italians present are Edoardo Molinari and Lorenzo Scalise, 48th respectively with 70 (-2) strokes, with four birdies and two bogeys for Molinari and five birdies and three bogeys for Scalise. Guido Migliozzi, who celebrates his 27th birthday today, is in 67th place with 71 (-1) shots.

Unfortunately, the start was complicated for Daniel Gavins, who defends the title he won in 2023. He is currently in 136th position with 78 (+6) shots, almost at the bottom of the ranking.

This tournament offers a prize pool of $2,500,000, with the winner receiving $416,667.

The United Arab Emirates (EAU for short) was formed by a group of sheikhs from the Arabian Peninsula, along the southern coast of the Persian Gulf and the northwestern coast of the Gulf of Oman. The area welcomed Islam in the 7th century. Later, during the 16th century, part of the area came under the direct influence of the Ottoman Empire. Since then the region has been known as the “Pirate Coast” due to the predatory activity of the coastal populations; another activity of the population was the collection of pearls.

In 1820 a first peace treaty was signed by the United Kingdom with all the sheikhs of the coast. In May 1853 the sheikhs signed a new treaty with the United Kingdom, which took charge of military protection and settling disputes between the sheikhs themselves; the “Trucial States” thus became a protectorate of the United Kingdom. For example, in 1955, the United Kingdom supported Abu Dhabi in its dispute with Oman over the al-Buraymi oasis and other territory to the south.