Hansen flies like an eagle to win Junior Dubai Desert Classic in dramatic play-off

Christian Hansen of Denmark produced one of the great junior golf comebacks to win the Junior Dubai Desert Classic, holing an eagle putt on the 54th hole to force a play-off before repeating the feat on the return trip down the iconic 18th to defeat Sweden’s Victor Larsson.

Hansen, 18, claimed the title with a three-round total of three-under par (213).

Recommended For You

Japan's 'Iron Lady' Takaichi forges stunning election win

GCC-India FTA reboot could redraw trade map amid global tariff tensions

Bhavana returns to Malayalam cinema with thriller 'Anomie'

2 killed as South Korean military helicopter crashes during training

Future of Workforce Summit 2026 returns to Dubai on April 28

 

The 54-hole tournament, hosted by the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in collaboration with the Emirates Golf Federation, featured 64 boys and girls from around the world competing at Emirates Golf Club.

Now in its second year with World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) status, the event continues to provide young golfers with a meaningful step along the high-performance pathway.

Play began under the lights on the Faldo Course on Friday evening, before an afternoon shotgun start on Saturday reduced the field to the top 30 players and ties.

The finalists then went head-to-head on Sunday morning over the immaculately manicured Majlis Course, the same championship layout that will host the world’s best this week at the 37th Hero Dubai Desert Classic, including record four-time winner Rory McIlroy and defending champion Tyrrell Hatton.

Hansen carded rounds of 70, 69 and 74 across the three days. He made a fast start under the Friday night lights, playing the front nine in style before cooling slightly on the back nine to post a solid two-under-par 70. A second-round 69 kept him firmly in contention heading into the final day.

What followed on Sunday was unforgettable. Trailing Larsson by three shots with two holes to play, Hansen birdied the 17th to cut the deficit. Then came a remarkable sequence on the 18th: Larsson found the water, while Hansen split the fairway with a powerful drive and holed an eagle putt as Larsson made bogey, forcing an unexpected play-off.

Magic on the 18th

The drama was not done. Returning to the 18th, Hansen produced another moment of magic, rolling in a 10-foot eagle putt on the Majlis’ iconic closing hole to secure a memorable victory.

“It was very unexpected because I was three behind with two holes to play,” said Hansen. “I made birdie on 17, then Victor hit it in the water on 18. I hit a great drive and holed the eagle putt while he made bogey, so suddenly we were in a play-off.

“I just tried to remember that when the pressure is high, your level can drop, so I focused on staying at the same level. The course is amazing — so pure, with beautiful views of the city. Tiger Woods has won here twice, and I just enjoyed every moment.”

Sri Lanka’s Kaya Daluwatte delivered a strong performance to finish as the leading female competitor. The 17-year-old from Royal Colombo Golf Club carded rounds of 69, 71 and 76 for an even-par total.

Dubai's Larsson lands ace

Earlier in the final round, Adrian Larsson of The Els Club Dubai provided another highlight with a stunning hole-in-one on the par-3 seventh.

Victor Larsson, also representing The Els Club Dubai, finished runner-up after the play-off on three-under par (213), while clubmate and defending champion Louis Klein secured third place at two-under par (214).

The fourth edition of the Junior Dubai Desert Classic continued to expand its global reach, welcoming junior golfers from India, Thailand, Europe, Sri Lanka, Canada and across the GCC. The prize presentation was attended by Walid Al Attar, General Secretary of the Emirates Golf Federation, and Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

In addition to earning valuable WAGR points and lifting a junior version of the iconic Dallah Trophy, Hansen won a Hero Dubai Desert Classic Driving Range Clinic with Viktor Hovland, a Callaway custom driver fitting, a place in the Faldo Series Grand Final and an invitation to the Clutch Tour, courtesy of the Emirates Golf Federation.

Celebrating junior excellence

Simon Corkill said: “Congratulations to Christian Hansen on a fantastic victory. It’s been inspiring to watch these talented young golfers compete on a world-class stage.

"Now in its fourth year, the Junior Dubai Desert Classic continues to grow as the region’s benchmark for elite youth competition, and with WAGR status for a second consecutive year, we are providing a genuine pathway for the next generation.”

Attention now turns to the 37th staging of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, which takes place from Thursday 22 to Sunday 25 January. Defending champion Tyrrell Hatton will be joined by Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Viktor Hovland, Dustin Johnson, Shane Lowry and a host of world-class players at the ‘Major of the Middle East’.

Established in 1989, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic is the oldest golf tournament in the Middle East and forms part of the prestigious DP World Tour Rolex Series.

For more information or to purchase tickets and premium experience packages, visit dubaidesertclassic.com or download the Hero Dubai Desert Classic app from the App Store or Google Play.