Viktor Kofod-Olsen (Emirates Golf Club) positioned himself strongly for the final round of the 28th Faldo Junior Tour European Grand Final, delivering consecutive rounds of 67 to stand at 134 (-6) after 36 holes at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club. The UAE talent shares the lead with first-round leader Dion Regan (Wales), who followed his opening 65 with a 69, setting up an exciting conclusion to the 54-hole tournament.
Kofod-Olsen's performance, featuring six birdies, comes on the heels of his victory at the 2024 Junior Dubai Desert Classic in January, held at Emirates Golf Club's Faldo and Majlis courses, part of the buildup to the HERO Dubai Desert Classic on the DP World Tour. The tournament will crown an overall Boy's and Girl's champion, along with divisional awards for Boys Under 21, Boys Under 16, Girls Under 21, and Girls Under 16.
In the Boys Under 21 division, Kofod-Olsen leads by two shots over Sadbhav Charya (Nepal). Isobel Kelly (Wales) tops the Girls Under 21 division after a first-round 69, holding a three-shot lead over Jorja Newbold (Eng). Kenya's Bianca Ngecu, from Muthaiga Golf Club, leads the Girls Under 16 division with rounds of 77 and 70, just one shot ahead of Ananyaa Sood (The Els Club, Dubai, UAE).
Shane Peacock, Director of Golf at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club, expressed his delight at having six-time Major champion Sir Nick Faldo present. Highlights of the week included a Sir Nick Faldo Masterclass Golf Clinic attended by all junior golfers. Peacock thanked Sir Nick, his team, and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council for making the event possible.
Fifty-eight competitors from 19 nations are vying for the title of '28 Faldo Junior Tour European Grand Final Champion.' The event is a World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) qualifying tournament supported by the R&A and sanctioned by the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF). The Faldo Junior Tour partners with prestigious organizations like the DP World Tour, Challenge Tour, Ladies European Tour, and more. Venue partners include Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club, The Belfry, Laguna, and Brocket Hall Estate. Commercial partners include GOLFWAY, NIKE, and Trackman.
The third round tee times are from 8.00 am to 11.30 am, all off tee one.
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