Promising Team Qatar youngster Sokolov gains invaluable experience on The International Series

Doha, Qatar: The International Series offers regional talent the chance to tee it up alongside the world s best at each of its 10 destinations, and se...

Doha, Qatar: The International Series offers regional talent the chance to tee it up alongside the world’s best at each of its 10 destinations, and several young prospects got a taste of the big time at International Series Qatar this week.

Young Daniil Sokolov was one example, getting a chance that any teenage sports fan would dream of - to tee it up in a field that contained major champions Patrick Reed, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel as well as the cream of the Asian Tour.

For the 13-year-old it was an important step in his early progress, after caddying the same event last year and then representing Qatar and playing in the team that earned a bronze medal at the recent Pan Arab Men's Golf Championship in Ajman.

The learning process was steep: 

Daniil was in the mix with a two-over first round, before ultimately missing the cut in brutally windy conditions on day two.