... Al Hamra GC, RAK
Scotland’s Craig Howie has bizarrely spent more time in quarantine in recent months than competing on the DP World Tour.
This week’s RAK Classic is only a second full event since earning his main Tour card late later year via the secondary Challenge Tour.
The 27-year-old Peebles golfer made his debut at the Joburg Open but like so many, was forced to flee home due to fears over the Omicron stain but then had to spend 10-days in quarantine.
Incredibly, Cowie then contracted Covid over Christmas and it meant going back into quarantine before finally getting to tee-up last week in the RAK Championship here at Al Hamra.
Scotland’s Craig Howie tees off the first at Al Hamra. You will note Phoeniix Capital on the tee signage and while not sponsoring the event this week, the Al Hamra Club has chosen to leave all such siigns in place as a ‘thank you’ to Phoenix Capital (Photo – @TourMiss)
“All up, it meant 22-days quarantine over the eight-week period I was at home”, he said before heading out on a practice round.
“So, I am really still getting started as South Africa was a bit of a disaster managing to play just the one round, so last week here at Al Hamra was the first full tournament for me.
“I actually played quite nice last week (T21st), so happy enough to play that first tournament.
“The good also being here for a second week it helps logistically in being able to stay in the same hotel and knowing the course pretty well after four rounds last week”.
The young Scot won last May on the secondary Challenge Tour to help secure his DP World Tour card.
And while Howie teed-up last week on the Al Hamra, the course has fond memories from his amateur days.
“I came here on a training camp with Stirling University about eight or nine years ago, so it’s good being back here”, he said and with his father acting as caddy.
“The thing now the next five or six weeks are up-in-the-air tournament-wise, so it means I’ll be looking to get into events in South Africa but then I probably really start my season till May when we get back to the UK and Europe.
“It’s very frustrating but I am happy to wait”.
Howie is among a big contingent of 10 Scots in this week’s $2m event.
