Dubai once again plays host to Czech rising star Louis Klein, who returns with confidence and ambition as he looks to successfully defend his Junior Desert Classic title against a strong field of young contenders.
Dubai welcomes back Czech rising star Louis Klein as he defends Junior Desert Classic title.
Klein Returns to Dubai as Junior Desert Classic Takes Centre Stage at Emirates Golf Club
One of Europe’s most promising junior golfers is set to return to familiar territory this week as Louis Klein prepares to defend his Junior Dubai Desert Classic title at Emirates Golf Club. The 16-year-old from the Czech Republic will headline a highly competitive international field when the prestigious junior tournament gets underway from Friday, January 16 through Sunday, January 18.
Widely regarded as a rising talent in junior golf, Klein arrives in Dubai with confidence and renewed fitness after a challenging year that tested his resilience. His return adds further intrigue to an event that continues to grow in stature and global recognition, offering young golfers a rare opportunity to compete on world-class courses while earning valuable World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points.
A Championship Built for the Next Generation
The 2026 Junior Dubai Desert Classic promises three days of high-quality competition at one of the Middle East’s most iconic golfing venues. Hosted jointly by Falcon Golf and the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF), the tournament has become an important fixture on the junior golf calendar, attracting elite boys and girls from across the globe.
Now in its second year as an official WAGR points qualifier, the event offers a critical pathway for aspiring golfers seeking to build international rankings and gain exposure at the highest amateur level. With a carefully designed format and elite playing conditions, the championship mirrors the experience of professional tournament golf, helping young players prepare for future careers in the sport.
Defending Champion Returns Stronger
Louis Klein’s name is already etched into the tournament’s history following a dominant performance last year, when he claimed the title by an emphatic eight-shot margin. His victory was built on three outstanding rounds of 69, 63, and 69, showcasing both consistency and scoring power across the Faldo and Majlis Courses.
Now 16 years old, Klein enters the title defence in a different chapter of his development. After dealing with injuries that disrupted his momentum last season, he reports being fully recovered and eager to return to competitive action.
“I now spend most winters in Dubai with my parents and play the majority of my golf at The Els Club,” Klein explained. “I’ve recovered well from the injuries I had last year, and I’m really looking forward to testing myself again in competition at Emirates Golf Club.”
His familiarity with the local conditions and courses could prove a significant advantage, particularly as he prepares for a demanding European tournament schedule later in the year.
“My form has been strong recently,” he added. “This week gives me the chance to compete against a very good field and take on the challenges of both the Faldo and Majlis Courses. I’m excited to get started as part of my preparation for the upcoming season in Europe and beyond.”
A Truly International Field
The Junior Dubai Desert Classic will feature a mixed field of 64 competitors, with boys and girls under the age of 18 representing a wide range of countries and golfing backgrounds. This year’s lineup reflects the event’s growing international reach, with players traveling from Europe, Asia, and North America to compete.
Among the standout participants are Sri Lanka’s Ladies Amateur Champion Kaya Dalawatte, who brings proven championship experience, and Alexandra Phung of the United States, who boasts an impressive +5.3 handicap. Their inclusion highlights the depth and diversity of talent on display, ensuring a competitive environment across all three days.
The tournament’s inclusive format encourages young athletes to test themselves against peers from different regions, styles, and competitive systems, offering invaluable learning experiences both on and off the course.
Championship Format and Course Setup
The event will unfold over three days, with a format designed to challenge players in a variety of conditions while maintaining fairness and balance. The opening round will take place on the Faldo Course under floodlights, introducing competitors to the unique experience of night golf at Emirates Golf Club.
Round two returns to the Faldo Course with afternoon tee times, allowing players to adapt to different lighting and course conditions. The final round will be contested on the iconic Majlis Course, home of the HERO Dubai Desert Classic and one of the most recognisable championship venues in global golf.
After 36 holes, the field will be reduced to the top 30 players based on gross scores, ensuring a competitive final day with the title on the line. Yardages have been carefully calibrated to suit junior competitors, measuring approximately 6,500 yards for boys and 5,700 yards for girls.
This structure not only tests technical skill and course management but also mental resilience, as players must adjust to changing conditions and mounting pressure over the course of the championship.
More Than Just a Tournament
Beyond the competition itself, the Junior Dubai Desert Classic plays a vital role in nurturing the next generation of elite golfers. Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of the HERO Dubai Desert Classic, emphasized the broader purpose behind the event.
“This tournament is about creating opportunity,” Corkill said. “We want to provide boys and girls with a genuine pathway event – one that offers WAGR points, a world-class environment, and exposure to an increasingly international field.”
As the junior counterpart to one of the DP World Tour’s flagship events, the championship offers young players a glimpse into professional tournament standards, from course preparation to event organization.
Pathways and Prizes
The incentives on offer extend well beyond trophies and rankings. Top performers at the Junior Dubai Desert Classic will earn invitations to several prestigious development opportunities, including the Faldo Series Grand Final and the Shubhankar Sharma Series Grand Final.
Additional rewards include exclusive experiences at the HERO Dubai Desert Classic Driving Range and competitive starts on the Clutch Tour, providing valuable exposure to elite-level competition and professional environments.
These prizes serve as stepping stones for talented juniors, helping bridge the gap between amateur success and future professional aspirations.
A Showcase of Emerging Talent
As Louis Klein and his fellow competitors prepare to tee it up at Emirates Golf Club, the Junior Dubai Desert Classic once again positions itself as a showcase for emerging global talent. With strong organizational backing, elite courses, and meaningful competitive rewards, the event continues to raise the bar for junior golf in the region.
For Klein, the championship represents both a return to a venue where he has already found success and an important milestone in his ongoing development. For the wider field, it offers a rare opportunity to compete on one of golf’s most celebrated stages.
As the first tee shot is struck under the Dubai lights, the focus will firmly be on the future of the sport – and on which young golfer will rise to claim the Junior Dubai Desert Classic crown.
