Asian Tour Final Q-School: UAE's Ahmad Skaik Faces High-Stakes Golf Battle In Thailand

For recently turned professional Ahmad Skaik, the 2025 Asian Tour Final Qualifying School in Hua Hin, Thailand, is far more than just another tournament; it's a battle, a test, and a dream all rolled into one.

Over five grueling rounds of 18 holes across the challenging A, B, C, and D courses at Lake View Resort and Golf Club, 200 aspiring professionals will face not only the course but the intense pressure of chasing one of only 35 Asian Tour cards for 2026.

“It's a long five days, and everyone's fighting for their spot in the top 35,” says the Emirati golfer.“So it's basically like a marathon and like war.”

After six first-stage events held between October and December, the leading 140 players and ties after 36 holes advance, followed by a further cut after 72 holes. With a prize fund of $15,000 and only 35 cards on the line, the Final Q-School promises a high-stakes, five-day test of skill and mental toughness, and Ahmad is ready to take it head-on.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, he reflected on the journey from amateur to professional and how he's preparing for this pivotal week.

Q: You've only recently turned professional, and now you're already competing in one of the toughest qualifying events in Asian Tour golf. How confident are you feeling heading into Final Q-School, and how different does this moment feel compared to your amateur days?
Ahmad Skaik:“Feel very confident. Been working hard. The game is in a good place. And, yeah, it's the same thing. You just go out there, play one shot at a time. Stick to the process, stay patient, and see where that puts you. Nothing changes from obviously, now as a pro, you're playing for money, playing for spots on the tour, so obviously that's some pressure, but just gotta when you're on the golf course, you gotta just stick to the process and do what you can out there.”

Q: Lake View Resort is a demanding test over five rounds. What's your early feel for the course, and are there any aspects of it that you think suit your game particularly well?
Ahmad Skaik:“I like both courses. They are nice. The greens are pretty tough, very sloppy and quick, so you gotta miss them in the right spots, or else, it's almost like a guaranteed bogey. Par threes are long and challenging. It's a mixture, like some long holes, some short holes. So I'm just gonna take advantage of the par fives and the short par fours and the tough, tough ones try to make par, and yeah, like just to be smart, don't be too aggressive and see where that gets you to.”

Q: With multiple cuts and only 35 cards available at the end, this week is as much a mental challenge as a physical one. How are you managing the pressure and staying focused shot by shot?
Ahmad Skaik:“It's a long five days, and everyone's fighting for their spot in the top 35, so it's basically like a marathon and like war. So gotta stay very patient. You cannot win it from the first day. It's gonna take every day as it goes, and yeah, just stay patient. Try to play the best go if you can focus on what I'm doing now, what everyone else is doing, and hopefully make the top 35. That is the goal for sure.”

Q: This tournament represents a huge step in your professional journey. Standing here now, competing for Asian Tour status, what does this opportunity mean to you personally, and how does it shape your goals going forward?
Ahmad Skaik:“Yeah, I mean, it is the dream, and this is why we play, to be on such big tours and to hopefully win tournaments there. So, of course, that is a huge step. If I can make it on the Asian tour, it will be a very big step towards the future and towards achieving my dreams, which is winning on tour. Yeah.”

Q: As a UAE golfer on an international stage, do you feel a sense of responsibility or motivation to represent the region, and does that add to your drive this week?
Ahmad Skaik:“I'm always honored to present my country on big stages or in general. But when I'm on the golf course, I just think about what I'm doing. I think about the next shot, and basically just think about myself. I cannot put added pressure, or think about who's watching,or like it's an individual game, so I got to put myself first, and whatever comes after that is a bonus. So I just do what I can on the course, and whatever comes outside is a bonus.”

MENAFN17122025000049011007ID1110491284