Dubai English Speaking College student Josh Hill should be filled with confidence leading in to tomorrow’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championships.
The 15 year-old can now notably lay claim to defeating world number one Brooks Koepka in a nine-hole friendly.
While there may have been no official title on the line during the practice tournament, Hill again showcased why he has firmly staked a claim as one of the future champions of the sport.
Following the friendly Koepka said Hill was eager to learn anything he could from the American.
“I don’t know what I was doing at 15, causing trouble probably, but I do know my golf was nowhere near as far along as Josh’s,” he said.
“I’m sure he enjoyed getting the better of me, as he should.
“He’s a good player, he strikes it well and putts really well and he asks good questions.
“In his shoes, I’d have been afraid to ask but he wanted advice about how to handle the week, and it’s important to pick a good player’s mind.
“It’s going to be cool to see how he develops.”
Tomorrow’s four-day tournament is Hill’s debut on the Europe tour after rising to prominence following his MENA tour win last October.
$7 million USD (25,700,000 AED) is on offer for the tournament champion and Hill will tee off at 12.35pm at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.