Gulati secures victory at Faldo Series. as Mateiu triumphs in thrilling girl's title showdow
But the story was far from simple. The drama reached its peak on the 54th tee as Gulati and Ahmed stood tied at eight under par, both in the final group. It was there, on the last hole, that a crucial birdie from Gulati and a double-bogey from Ahmed—who dramatically hooked his drive out of bounds—sealed the deal.
Gulati, who has been honing his game under the guidance of Stephen Deane at Dubai Golf, revealed how critical his mental strength was to his success: "After 45 holes, Ahmed and I were very close. I had to stay mentally strong, especially after a rocky start in the first two rounds. But today, I shot a back nine of 31, with four birdies in a row—it was hugely satisfying."
Gulati is aiming for bigger things ahead, looking to break into the Top 100 of the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) and secure an exemption for the 2025 US Junior Amateur Championship. For now, though, Gulati is shifting gears—'I have to go into exam mode,' he said, showing his balance of academic and athletic discipline.
His victory also guarantees him a spot in the Faldo Series Grand Final, which will be held later this year at Al Ain, making the win even more rewarding as he prepares for the next level of competition.
In the Girls' Division, it was a tightly contested race between Anca Mateiu from the Emirates Golf Club and Anayaa Sood from The Els Club, Dubai. With rounds of 69, 69, and 66, Mateiu triumphed with a six-under-par total, narrowly edging Sood by a single shot. Both players have proven themselves to be top-tier talents in UAE golf, and their friendly rivalry is one to watch as they continue to push each other to greater heights.
With eight players finishing under par over the three rounds, the Faldo Series has once again highlighted the rising stars of the UAE golfing scene. Gulati and Mateiu are certainly names to watch as they continue to shine on the global stage.
Final Results:
R. Gulati (Dubai Creek) - 70, 66, 65 - 201
A. Mateiu (EGF) - 69, 69, 66 - 204
R. Ahmed (EGF) - 68, 66, 70 - 204
A. Sood (The Els Club, Dubai) - 70, 69, 66 - 205
L. Astrom (Jumeirah Golf Estates) - 68, 69, 68 - 205
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