Young Amateurs Break Records at the 2016 EGF Order of Merit Championship

(Dubai, UAE) – On May 27-28, 2016 the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) held the 2016 EGF Order of Merit Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates. This prestigious event hosted over 50 elite amateur golfers across three different divisions.

The EGF Order of Merit Championship had representing divisions for Men, Ladies’ and Juniors’. The Championship was played over a two day, 36-hole, Strokeplay format, on the Earth and Fire Courses at Jumeirah Golf Estates. The field was composed of the top amateur golfers in each division that supported and competed in the 2015 – 2016 EGF Order of Merit Season.

18 year-old, Tiago Lobo from Abu Dhabi Golf Club was the Champion of the Men’s Division. After shooting a 73 (one-over-par) first round, Lobo had a two shot lead going into the final round. With a one-under-par, 71 in the second round, Lobo sealed the victory with a Championship total of 144, even-par. Making the transition into the Men’s Division this year, Lobo is the first player to win the Junior Division followed by winning the Men’s Division the next year at the EGF Order of Merit Championship.

Finishing as the Runner-Up was Men’s Order of Merit Season winner Christofer Rahm. Playing at his home club Rahm had rounds of 78 – 68 for a Championship total of 146m two-over-par. Taking Third Place was Bilbo Perrot with rounds of 76 – 72 for a Championship total of 148.

Leading the way in the Ladies Division was 15 year-old Kim Chiang. Playing out of the Arabian Ranches Golf Club Kim defended her title with rounds of 66 – 79. Kim’s first round of 66 (six-under-par) on the Earth Course set a new course record at Jumeirah Golf Estates. Kim has now set two course records while playing the EGF Order of Merit Championship. With a Championship total of 145 (one-over-par) Kim won by two strokes.

After a back nine, last six-hole count back, Anastasia Bakal was the Runner-Up in the Ladies Division. Playing out of the Els Club, Anastasia shot rounds 76 – 71 for a 147 Championship total. Rounding out the top-three, coming in Third Place was Alison Muirhead. Representing the Jumeirah Golf Estates and winning the Ladies Order of Merit Season, Alison shot rounds of 76 – 71 for a Championship total of 147.

The Junior Division was played with the Girls and Boys golfers combined. This division was full of talent as Zubair Firdaus from Jumeirah Golf Estates was the 2016 Champion. Firdaus shot an EGF Order Merit Championship record with rounds of 72 – 67. His Championship total of 139, five-under-par, is the lowest 36-hole score ever recorded at an EGF Order of Merit Championship. Firdaus won by 12 strokes.

The Runner-Up in the Junior Division was Aryaan Kumar. Kumar fired rounds of 75 – 76 for a Championship total of 151. Winning the Third Place prize was Tariq El Chaib. Tariq had rounds 85 – 71 for a Championship total of 156.

The EGF is proud to announce that the winner of the Men’s Order of Merit Season (Christofer Rahm) and the winner of the Ladies Gross Order of Merit Season (Alison Muirhead) along with the winners of the Men’s (Tiago Lobo) and Ladies (Kim Chiang) Divisions from this weekend’s Championship will be traveling to the Singha Thailand Amateur Golf Championship at the end of August.

After the tournament the EGF hosted an award ceremony where the winners of the EGF Order of Merit Championship and the winners of the EGF Order of Merit Season received their well-deserved prizes. To see all of the results from the EGF Order of Merit Season, please revert to the EGF website at www.egfgolf.com.

The EGF would like to thank all Golf Clubs, partners, and most importantly all EGF Members for a successful 2015-2016 Order of Merit Season and Championship.

To see all photos from this event please visit the EGF’s Facebook book page (Emirates Golf Federation).