Dubai prepares to host the 2026 Junior Desert Classic from January 16-18 at the renowned Emirates Golf Club, where defending champion Louis Klein aims to retain his crown against elite international competition. The 16-year-old Czech sensation, who dominated last year’s tournament with an impressive eight-stroke victory, returns fully recovered from previous injuries and confident in his current form.
Organized by Falcon Golf and the Emirates Golf Federation, this 54-hole championship serves as an official World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) qualifier for the second consecutive year. The event features 64 top-tier junior golfers under age 18, including notable participants such as Sri Lankan Ladies Amateur Champion Kaya Dalawatte and American standout Alexandra Phung (+5.3 handicap).
Klein, who now regularly trains at The Els Club in Dubai during winter months, expressed enthusiasm about competing on both the Faldo and Majlis courses: “I want to test myself against both a strong field and the challenges of these championship courses. This tournament provides perfect preparation for my upcoming season in Europe and beyond.”
The competition format includes: Round 1 on the Faldo Course under floodlights, Round 2 with afternoon tee times on the same course, and a final round on the prestigious Majlis Course. The field will be reduced to the top 30 gross scores after 36 holes, with yardages set at 6,500 for boys and 5,700 for girls.
Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of the HERO Dubai Desert Classic, emphasized the event’s significance: “This championship creates genuine opportunities for young golfers through WAGR points, world-class facilities, and increasingly international competition.”
Successful competitors will earn invitations to prestigious events including the Faldo Series Grand Final, Shubhankar Sharma Series Grand Final, and Clutch Tour starts, establishing crucial pathways to professional golf careers.