Germany’s Dominic Foos all but secured his place in the European Challenge Tour’s season-ending NBO Golf Classic Grand Final with his record-breaking three-stroke victory in the Gant Open at Aura Golf Club in Finland.
The NBO Golf Classic Grand Final will take place here in Oman at the spectacular Almouj Golf, The Wave, Muscat from November 4 to 7, with only the top 45 players on the ‘Road to Oman Rankings’ eligible, and Foos put himself within a whisker of a guaranteed spot by becoming, at just 17 years and 347 days old, the youngest winner in Challenge Tour history.
The teenager, who won 14 junior events prior to turning professional and joining the Challenge Tour this year, led from start to finish and showed no hint of nerves as he obliterated the field with a 14 under par winning total of 270 after firing four rounds in the 60s (65-69-69-67) to claim the winner’s cheque for €27,200 to move to 19th in the Road to Oman Rankings with €41,599 for the season.
“This is a very special win for me,” said Foos, who is attached to The Els Club in Dubai and is coached under the watchful eye of Justin Parsons at the Butch Harmon School of Golf. “I’m feeling great to have just won my first ever professional win, and my Dad just told me that I’m the youngest ever to win a Challenge Tour event, which is really amazing.
“I was very relaxed all day, I felt really comfortable in general today. I think the mind-set doesn’t really change from day to day so it was the same as I’ve approached the week.
“Going wire-to-wire is maybe a little bit more difficult than finding your best game in the third and fourth round but it’s special to be able to do it.
“It’s very special to share this with my father. We’ve had a couple of victories together before, but we put in so much hard work and for him to be there next to me as my partner and caddie is even more special.
“My mum has been here walking with me every hole, so it’s really something special having your parents here at your first professional win. It’s a dream come true.”
Foos should now get the chance to write yet another chapter in his fairy-tale story when he takes his place in the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final in Muscat in November. Not only is there a share of the €375,000 prize fund up for grabs, and the chance to win the most prestigious title of the Challenge Tour season. The top 15 players on the Road to Oman Rankings following the conclusion of the season-ending event will be promoted to play on next season’s European Tour.
Fans can now find out everything they need to know about the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final by visiting the newly-launched tournament websitehere
