David Horsey is the defending champion, but millions of eyes will be focused instead on 16-year-old Daulet Tuleubayev this week at the M2M Russian Open in Moscow.
That’s because Tuleubayev is a native of Kazakhstan, which despite a population just shy of 18 million, has never had a native play on an European Tour event. At least, until now.
Tuleubayev first caught international attention in 2009 when he was part of a winning Pro-Am team in the Challenge Tour’s Kazakhstan Open. Under the tutelage of American legendary coach Butch Harmon, he rose to be ranked No. 1 in the Junior Golf Tour’s under-14 Rankings at age 12.
“It’s such a great opportunity I’ve been given with my invite here by the Russian Federation and I really want to perform well and show that I have earned this opportunity,” said Tuleubayev.
In May, he missed qualifying for the US Open by two shots.
In May, he missed qualifying for the US Open by two shots.
The tournament is being played at the Skolkovo Golf Club, a 7,025-yard course with a par of 71.
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