Kofod Olsen wins Junior Dubai Desert Classic

Dubai: Viktor Kofod Olsen of Denmark produced an impressive display to win the second edition of the Junior Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club.

The venue welcomed the sport’s future stars, aged under 18, as they competed in the 36-hole tournament hosted by the Hero Dubai Desert Classic (HDDC) in collaboration with Emirates Golf Federation, just days before the 35th HDDC event is held later this week.

The tournament attracted a competitive field with 54 boys and girls from countries including the UAE, France, India, Qatar and Sweden, who took to the famed Faldo and Majlis Courses over the two days with Kofod Olsen coming out on top. The Danish golfer carded a score of Gross score of 140 (71 and 69) to clinch the trophy, enough to hold off Kartik Singh (144) and Mo Craig (147), who finished second and third place, respectively.

The young golfers were presented with their prizes in a ceremony that was attended by Indian professional, Shubhankar Sharma, Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of Hero Dubai Desert Classic, and Akram Skaik, Director General, Emirates Golf Federation.

As well as winning the trophy, Kofod Olsen won a Callaway Tour Custom Fit Experience, an invite to the Hero Dubai Desert Classic Star Player Demonstration, the Shubhankar Sharma Junior Invitational Final 2024 in India and entry to the Faldo Series Grand Final in Al Ain.

Speaking after his victory, Kofod Olsen, 17, said: “It was a great event and I particularly enjoyed playing the Majlis course a few days before the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. Overall, I’m really happy to have performed well. I had a triple-bogey yesterday which wasn’t great but happy to have come back strongly and play well. I’ll now be watching the Hero Dubai Desert Classic this week and looking forward to watching the top players in action.”

The event provided an opportunity for the younger generation to experience what it is like to be a professional at an elite tournament with access to the courses, driving range, locker rooms and lounges at Emirates Golf Club.

Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, said: “The second edition of the Junior Dubai Desert Classic showcased the very best of the sport’s future and it was fantastic to see the young golfers so determined to do well and raise their game competitively.

“We know opportunities are crucial to help develop golf’s stars of tomorrow and we hope this year’s tournament has been a great learning experience for them to take their game to the next level and become the best golfers they can be.”

The Emirates Golf Club will now welcome the elite professionals for the 35th edition of HDDC, which takes place from Jan.18 to 21.

World No.2 and defending champion Rory McIlroy headlines the strong field which also includes European Ryder Cup winning captain Luke Donald, World No.9 and reigning Open Champion Brian Harman, Padraig Harrington, Francesco Molinari and Adam Scott. Also lining up is the inform Dubai Invitational Winner Tommy Fleetwood, World No.14 Tyrrell Hatton, and American World No.24 Cameron Young.

This year’s event combines world-class golf with a huge array of family-friendly entertainment.  Spectators can look forward to a wider variety of options off the course than ever before with something for fans of all ages to enjoy across the tournament. 

Earlier, a two-shot swing right at the end of the tournament on the 72nd hole saw Tommy Fleetwood edge aside World No. 2 Rory McIlroy to win the inaugural Dubai Invitational by one shot.

Standing at the eighteenth together, McIlroy at 19-under was one shot ahead of Fleetwood at 18-under.

Things changed quickly as McIlroy hit his drive into the water, took a penalty and came out with a bogey. Fleetwood meanwhile holed a superb 16-footer for birdie to make a two-shot swing in his favour and pick his third win in the Middle East. He has won twice in the past in Abu Dhabi.