KARACHI, Sept 17: Some of Pakistan’s leading players will be featuring in the Mena Golf Tour events starting with the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club Open in Dubai from Sept 24.

“Our expectations are high but having tested the waters last year we also know we need to go up to a certain level if we are to challenge a competent field,” said Aadil Jehangir, who finished ninth on the Order of Merit for Professionals in 2011, the best result by a Pakistani golfer in an away tournament.

Besides Aadil Jehangir and Matloob Ahmed, Pakistan number three Mohammad Muneer, number six Shafiq Masih and Daniyal Jehangir will also compete in the opening event. However, country’s number one golfer Shabbir Iqbal will not be featuring in the high-profile tournament.

Pakistan golfers will have their task cut out with leading players such as European Tour veteran Stephen Dodd, Jake Shepherd, the winner of the 2011 Mena Tour Order of Merit title, Zane Scotland, Ross Bain, Yasin Ali, Peter Richardson and Dale Marmion besides a strong contingent from Morocco joining the fray in what promises to be an absorbing contest.

“The tour offers us a great chance to play at some of the best courses and the level of competition is as good as that of any tour,” Aadil added.

“The Mena Tour has opened up a big window of opportunities for Pakistani golfers who usually play in the country’s own professional tour.”—APP