Indian golfer Rayhan Thomas, representing Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, opened his Stage Two campaign at the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying School with impressive composure, carding a five-under-par 67 at The Landings Golf & Athletic Club in Savannah, Georgia. The 26-year-old demonstrated remarkable mental fortitude and strategic discipline amid challenging weather conditions that tested the 76-player field.
Thomas’s performance placed him tied for ninth position after the opening round, firmly positioning him within the projected qualification threshold for the Final Stage. Japan’s Tatsunori Shogenji currently leads the tournament at eight under par.
The Dubai-born athlete showcased exceptional resilience early in his round when confronted with a bogey on the second hole during heavy rainfall. Rather than allowing this setback to disrupt his rhythm, Thomas responded with three consecutive birdies on holes three, four, and seven, concluding the front nine with a two-under-par 34. He maintained his precision on the back nine, adding three additional birdies to finish with a back-nine 33.
Thomas emphasized the psychological demands of qualifying tournaments, noting the critical balance between aggression and restraint. “It’s a different mindset when you play in qualifying events—knowing when to attack and when to play safe,” Thomas explained from Georgia. “I’m getting used to knowing what I have to do.”
The tournament structure offers significant stakes: the top 15 finishers will advance to the Final Qualifying stage at TPC Sawgrass facilities in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, scheduled for December 11-14, 2025. At the Final Stage, the top five competitors will receive full PGA Tour cards for the following season, while the next 40 players (including ties) will secure full Korn Ferry Tour membership for 2026.
Thomas, exempt from Stage One qualifying as a 2025 Korn Ferry Tour cardholder, enjoys support from sponsors Hero, Wilson, Cadillac, and Dubai Basketball—partners committed to his long-term professional development in competitive golf.