Amateurs deny Professionals in thrilling Dubai Golf Trophy

On a final day that brought plenty of drama, the Amateurs fought back against the Professionals to retain the Dubai Golf Trophy once again, following a 16-16 tie at the Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club, Dubai.

In one of the longest-standing golf tournaments in the United Arab Emirates, the Amateurs entered this year’s event having dominated in recent years, having won nine of the last ten editions against the Professionals.

The Professionals began Monday’s final day with a slender one-point lead, following Sunday’s Fourballs and Foursomes results, with the singles matches commencing with the Amateurs on 7.5 points and the Professionals on 8.5.

The day was closely contested, with points shared evenly between the teams as the matches progressed. However, the Amateurs rallied late on, securing vital points towards the end of play — notably Barry Pavic defeating Professional Captain Graham Forbes 2&1, UAE National Ahmad Skaik edging Louis Gaughan 1UP, and Aayan Dadabhoy winning 3&2 against Matt Rice.

Dubai Creek Golf Resort’s Matt Brookes kept the Professionals in contention with a crucial 1UP win against Jumeirah Golf Estates member Tom Stephenson.

But the decisive point came from the Tommy Fleetwood Academy’s Oscar Craig, whose 1UP victory over Stuart Smith sealed the win — sparking jubilant celebrations among the Amateurs. The first to congratulate him was his brother, Mo.

You can see how much it means to Oscar and his fellow Amateurs below.

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What a fist pump — looks like he might have been channelling his stepdad, Tommy Fleetwood, with that one!

The event also featured a Ladies’ Challenge Match, with the top two Professional Ladies — Olivia Jackson of FiveIron Golf Dubai and Lea Pouilard of Dubai Creek Golf Resort — facing off against the top two Amateur Ladies, Aoife Kelly and Sana Tufail, based on their respective Order of Merit standings.

See below the final days’ singles scores.

Monday MatchPlay Singles Results

Victor Larsson 1UP Jackson Bell

Luke Challis 2&1 Thomas Ogilvie

Adrian Larsson WD Michael Major

Mo Craig WD Sujjan Singh

Alistair Hess 4&3 Garrick Porteous

Dan Byrne (c) Tied Damien Scott

Jay Mullane 2&1 Jordan Gallagher

Simon Dunn 3&2 David Gray

Barry Pavic 2UP Graham Forbes (c)

Ahmad Skaik 1UP Louis Gaughan