Yasin Ali

“Yas” is one of the brightest young prospects in both British and Asian Golf.

Born in Kenya, his parents moved to Ealing in the mid 80’s. Of Indian heritage, his father Zulfikar Ali was also a successful international sportsman captaining the Kenyan Cricket team in the early 80’s. Yas learnt golf with his father. With his obvious talent, Yas became a junior member of Ealing Golf Club, which has a reputation for nurturing top young golfers including former Walker Cup golfer/European Tour pro Ricky Willison.
 
In 1998 aged 16, Yas won the prestigious McGregor Trophy.  This has been won in the past by the likes of Nick Faldo and Sandy Lyle.  Subsequently, Faldo himself spotted Yas’ talent when he won a qualifier in his Faldo Junior Series.
 
In 2000, with Nick Dougherty, Yas played the World Boys Championship in Japan where England finished 3rd. He was then flown to the US as one of Nick’s “future stars” team. Later that same year he finished runner-up to Nick Dougherty again at the final of the Faldo Junior Series.  In 2001, Yas decided to further his golf education in the US at Oklahoma City University. During his time in the US, his golf blossomed winning 5 individual tournaments and the NAIA Team Championship twice. He was also recognised in the prestigious Hogan Award List in 2003 for America’s Top 20 players in College Golf.
 
Yas decided to turn professional in the Summer of 2003 and moved to Dubai – for his golf and given its Islamic environment. Whilst he did not qualify for the Asian or European Tour on his first 2 attempts, he did play the Dubai Desert Classic in 2004 and 2005 and learnt his trade by winning several professional events in the UAE. In 2005, Yas played the Europro Tour where he won a Peugeot 305 at the final event of the year. It was his second hole-in-one following a hole-in-one on the Emirates sponsored 7th hole during the Desert Classic to win $30,000. He used this money to spend 2 weeks with David Leadbetter in Florida in October. The great guru was seriously impressed but made some significant changes to his swing.
 
Having failed to gain his European Tour card in November at Stage II, Yas made a gutsy start to 2006 by shooting 32 on his final nine holes of Asian Tour school to win his Tour Card. So far he has posted four top 10 finishes including third in the Malaysian Masters and 4th at the Volkswagen Masters in China behind Retief Goosen and Michael Campbell. He has already secured his Asian Tour card for 2007 and is in contention to win Asian Tour Rookie of the Year.

Yas is already one of the longest drivers in pro golf – his driving distance is exceptional and is comparable to Woods, Daly and Casey. His discipline and attitude are also world class.  David Leadbetter expects great things of his protégé.

Career History

2006 Winner – Nakheel UAE PGA Championship

2006 Won Asian Tour Card

2005 Winner - Dubai Desert Classic Qualifier

2004 Winner - Dubai Desert Classic Qualifier

2003 1st - Bearkat Classic (US)

2003 Walker Cup squad, Hogan Award List (Top 20 college golfers in US)

2003 Winner - The NAIA National Championships in Florida with Oklahoma City

2002 Member of the England Men’s Team for Home Internationals

2002 Last 16 - British Amateur Championship

2002 Winners - The NAIA National Championships in Florida with Oklahoma City

2002 1st - Bentwater Bearkat Classic (US), NAIA Region IV Championship (US)

2001 1st - NSU Men’s Golf Classic (US)

2001 Tied 1st - UC Ferguson All College Tournament (US)

2000 Runner up - Faldo Series – Grand Final at Hoylake, Liverpool

2000 Winners - Home Internationals & Captain of the England Boys Team

2000 Winners - Member of the GBI Boys Team vs Continental Europe

1999 Winner - England Schools, England U16 teams,

1999 Winner, 3rd World Junior Championships, Osaka, Japan

1998 1st - McGregor Trophy (England U16 Strokeplay)

1998 1st - Faldo Series, Royal St Georges