By Kent Gray
The ‘Luckiest Ball on Earth’ has just bounced at the feet of golf’s next generation. For the first time since the event’s inception in 2011, amateurs under the age of 18 will get a shot at a spot in the Pro-Am before the European Tour’s season-ending, US$8 million DP World Tour Championship in November.

In a great grow the game initiative by the title sponsor, the top performing juniors in the Emirates Golf Federation’s Order of Merit series will contest a ‘Junior Luckiest Ball on Earth Grand Final’ on October 28, incidentally on the Fire course at Jumeirah Golf Estates. The winner will then join the two traditional adult ‘Luckiest Ball on Earth’ winners in a DP World Tour Championship Pro-Am fourball on Earth – in the company of one of the European Tour’s top-60 players.

The Pro-Am is scheduled for November 13, the Tuesday before the 10th DP World Tour Championship from Nov. 15-18. The chance to tee it up with the likes of Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood and reigning champion Jon Rahm is certainly a great excuse to play hookie from school for the day.

The junior grand finalists will be be made up of the top 10 players from each of the boys and girls gross and net order of merit standings (40 players in total) following the Al Ain Junior Open on April 28.

“The Luckiest Ball on Earth grows bigger and better every year and we are thrilled to be giving junior golfers in the UAE an opportunity to play with some of their heroes,” said Nick Tarratt, Director European Tour International, Dubai Office. “We wish all the competitors the very best of luck as they aim to secure a spot in the DP World Tour Championship Pro-Am and send our thanks and appreciation to the clubs and the EGF for continuing to support this amazing initiative.”

Details of the adult series are to be released soon.