Rayhan Thomas Sets Sights On Korn Ferry Tour Success In 2026

Dubai-born professional golfer Rayhan Thomas is approaching the 2026 season with renewed confidence, sharpened ambition, and a clear focus on turning promise into progress on the global stage.

Khaleej Times caught up with Thomas during a brief Christmas break in Dubai, where the 26-year-old returned home to spend time with family and friends after securing his place for a second season on the Korn Ferry Tour, the official development pathway to the PGA Tour.

Less than a month earlier, Thomas had been in Florida navigating the pressure-cooker environment of PGA Tour Final Qualifying School at Sawgrass. Four demanding rounds of 70, 69, 65, and 72 saw him finish exactly on the qualifying mark at four-under-par 276m enough to regain his tour card, but only after a nervy finish.

“It was tight at the end. I had dropped three shots on the back nine of my final round, but I couldn't see any on the on-course leaderboards, so I had to check my phone for live scoring updates. I saw I was on the mark – so played safe the last couple of holes with pars to get it done,” said a relieved Thomas.

Opportunity and urgency

A product of UAE junior golf, Thomas now returns to the United States with eight guaranteed starts on the Korn Ferry Tour, beginning this month. As with last season, the field will be re-ranked after every four events, adding urgency to each performance.

Despite the competitiveness of the circuit, Thomas is clearly energized by what lies ahead.

“I have wintered well, with some decent practice in Dubai, and I am very excited about what is ahead of me. I am especially pleased to be returning to some familiar venues that I played last year on tour. This should give me some additional confidence for the season ahead,” he said.

His campaign begins at the Bahamas Golf Classic at Atlantis Paradise Island on January 11, followed by a second event in the Bahamas the following week. A brief mid-season break will bring him back to Dubai in March, where he will also step onto the DP World Tour after accepting an invitation to the Hero Indian Open.

Alongside his Korn Ferry commitments, Thomas is also eyeing opportunities to qualify for golf's biggest stages.

All in on Korn Ferry

“My commitment for 2026 is 100% to the Korn Ferry Tour. I finished 88th in the Korn Ferry Points Table last season – it is getting tougher each year.”

The grind of professional golf has already been well learned. After a full season of competition, Thomas found himself back at Qualifying School - an experience he now approaches with growing composure.

“I was pleased to get through the Final Qualifying School last month – it was a grind, and after playing 20-odd events in the season, I was surprised to have to go back to Stage One.”

He added:“I am getting more confident in playing these Qualifying School events – they do take time to adjust to. I am playing alongside a lot of guys I know – they are all good players who have earned their right to be there. It is not about being aggressive all the time on the course – you have to play a different game to normal tournament golf.”

Focus on Q-School

For Thomas, Q-School represents the sport in its rawest form.

“Qualifying School is the purest form of golf – a lot of weight on everyone's shoulders, and it is almost visible. But we all know what we are there for, and all in the same boat. It is not that there is always next week – it is pressure-packed,” he said.

Off the course, Thomas appears to be entering a transitional phase with his coaching setup, though he remains comfortable taking ownership of his game.

“I am fairly independent with my own game – you have to be out here - but I really need a coach to be able to catch up and work on some parts of my game, but that is not urgent,” he concluded.

With another season underway, a global schedule taking shape, and long-term PGA Tour ambitions firmly in sight, Rayhan Thomas enters 2026 with belief, experience, and momentum, a Dubai-born golfer continuing his pursuit of success on golf's biggest stages.

Khaleej Times will continue to follow his progress throughout the 2026 season.

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