Brandon Robinson Thompson may not appear on the Dubai Invitational leaderboard when you search it, and yet he was involved on Friday. Let’s explain how…
Opting to head out to Dubai for the opening event of the new year despite being second on the reserve list, the chances appeared slim that he’d tee it up at Dubai Creek Resort.
But when fellow Englishman Richard Mansell retired on Thursday through injury, an opportunity arose to swap practising on the range for the course as he stepped in as a marker as part of the three-day Pro-Am team event.
An unusual experience, but one that Robinson Thompson, who made it to the season-ending DP World Tour Championship as a rookie last year, was making the most of.
“I've been a first reserve before but for a regular tournament,” he said on Friday. “It's a bit different.
“So, I’ve kind of been here onsite for a few days just in case an amateur needs a partner for the whole week.
“Super strange but grateful to be able to come out and play and meet some people.
“But, of course, just a unique situation."
Following the completion of the second round, the withdrawal of an amateur means Robinson Thompson will take no part on Saturday when the team event comes to a climax with the field now having evened up.
But with the Hero Dubai Desert Classic – the first Rolex Series event of the season - coming up next week, the chance to test himself in a competitive environment, albeit briefly, is something that the 33-year-old believes will be beneficial to him when he gets his year under way for real.
"Any chance I get to come out and test my game is an opportunity just to see where I'm at. It's a really great golf course, tricky conditions today," he said.
"But, just to see where we are at. First one of the year, just to see where we are at and almost like a little warm up for next week.
"I was here anyway. I was going to be practising onsite but to get out on the golf course and hit some shots is a real bonus."
