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The 29th Faldo Series European Grand Final, held at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club in the UAE, proved to be an exceptional showcase of skill, endurance, and determination. Over three days, players navigated demanding desert conditions in an event that combined both fun and high-level competition.
Young Japanese standout Ai Goto delivered a commanding wire-to-wire performance to capture both the Overall Championship and the Girls Under 16 division with an impressive total of -12 (198). Her tournament opened with high drama, reaching -8 through 15 holes on day one before encountering trouble with a 9 on the par-4 16th. She responded superbly, posting rounds of 65 and 67 to close out the event, securing a two-shot overall victory and an emphatic eight-stroke win in her division over England’s Arianna Virik, who finished runner-up at -4 (206).
In the Girls Under 21 division, Sri Lanka’s Kaya Daluwatte claimed the title with an impressive total of -8 (202). She opened her final round in spectacular form, carding birdies on five of her first six holes. Her overall performance was defined by remarkable consistency, beginning with a steady -2 (68) and followed by back-to-back rounds of -3 (67) to secure the division. Sweden’s Lova Jansson finished runner-up at -1 (209) after rounds of 68, 67, and 74. Despite trailing Kaya by seven strokes, Lova’s showing further demonstrated the depth of emerging Swedish talent.
In the Boys Under 16 division, Austria celebrated victory courtesy of Alexander Zyla. His rounds of 69, 69, and 69, for a total of -3 (207), were a testament to his strategic approach to Al Ain’s water and sand-riddled course. Alexander started his final round in style with an eagle on hole 4, but a double bogey on the 10th brought him back closer to the pack. A final birdie on the 16th was enough to take the category by one shot. Theo McCormick pushed Alexander all the way, finishing just one stroke back at -2 (208) after rounds of 72, 69, and 67.
In the Boys Under 21 division, Zambia’s Michael Chuma produced a standout performance to claim the title at -10 (200), highlighted by an exceptional final-round 61. After opening with rounds of 67 and 72, Chuma surged to the top with his brilliant closing effort, securing a narrow victory over Sweden’s Filip Grave. Grave finished just one stroke back at -9 (201), delivering an impressive and consistent card of 68, 69, and a strong final-round 64. The tight battle between the two showcased both players’ composure and elite scoring ability.
This year’s Grand Final also reached a new milestone in global participation. A total of 87 competitors travelled from 30 countries across three continents. The field featured young talents from established golfing nations such as the United Kingdom and Ireland, as well as representatives from emerging regions including Zambia, Kenya, India, Kazakhstan, and Tunisia. Europe was strongly represented, with players from Sweden, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Denmark, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands, alongside participants from the United Arab Emirates, Japan, and many other countries. This diverse international lineup underscored the Faldo Series’ global footprint and highlighted the sport’s ability to unite players from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds.
The European Grand Final marks the conclusion of another outstanding season for the Faldo Junior Tour, which this year welcomed more than 1,250 participants across 17 events. The four divisional champions have now earned invitations to the 17th Faldo Series Asia Grand Final at Laguna Lang Co, Vietnam, scheduled to take place in April 2026. There, they will compete against the strongest players from the Asian circuit while continuing their journey of international sporting and cultural experience.
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Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club, UAE
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