Dubai's Aayan conquers St. Andrews, punches ticket to Curry Cup finale in NY

Khaleej Times

a day ago

For Dubai golfing prodigy Aayan Dadabhoy, the road to the Curry Cup began on the windswept fairways of St. Andrews, where he held his nerve to claim victory in the Underrated Tour event and secure a coveted spot in Steph Curry's Junior Golf Tour finale.
At just 17 years old, Aayan has already made his mark in the junior golf scene, but it was his performance at the Kittocks Course at Fairmont St Andrews in Scotland that truly announced his arrival on the global stage. Posting rounds of 73 and a final-round 67, he finished four under par, winning by three strokes and cementing his reputation as one of the UAE's brightest golfing talents.
Representing the Tommy Fleetwood Academy Dubai, based at Jumeirah Golf Estates, Aayan's rise reflects both his dedication and the strength of junior golf development in the UAE.
Recalling the final moments of his St. Andrews triumph, Aayan said: 'I birdied the 10th and 11th, and I knew someone in my group was just a shot behind me. I stayed in the present, stuck to my game plan, and made two big up-and-downs on 14 and 15. By the time I birdied 17, with friends from the Muslim Golf Association cheering me on, I felt confident I could finish strong.'
That strong finish not only secured victory at the Home of Golf but also earned him a trip to New York for the Curry Cup finale, held from September 10–12 at the iconic Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, New Jersey.
The Curry Cup is the season-ending championship of the Underrated Golf Tour, founded by NBA star Stephen Curry to promote diversity and inclusion in junior golf. It brings together 24 of the world's top junior players to compete for the ultimate prize.
'Being part of this event is a huge privilege,' Aayan told Khaleej Times from Scotland. 'It's an amazing experience for my playing career, and it'll help me as I look for the right university in my final year of school. I couldn't have done it without the Underrated Tour, Steph Curry, and everyone who's made this possible.'
For Aayan, the Curry Cup represents more than just a tournament, it's a chance to test himself against the best junior golfers globally.
'Competition is healthy when you're trying to grow your game,' he said. 'I know I've got what it takes to win, but it'll be a tough challenge. Playing against these players makes you work harder, and it's all about preparation.'
That preparation has already taken him across continents. Earlier this summer, he competed in the U.S., finishing fifth at the FCG Callaway Collegiate in California, 15th at the Junior Worlds, and representing his country at Pinehurst for the U.S. Kids Team Championship.
'Playing in America is very different from Scotland,' he said. 'But experiences like those build the focus you need for tournaments like this.'
Looking beyond New York, Aayan has his sights set on even bigger stages.
'No matter how I play at Liberty National, I'm grateful for the experience. After this, I'd love to chase an invite to the Challenge Tour or one of the UAE's professional events. That would be one of my top goals for the year.'
For now, his focus is squarely on New York and the chance to bring the Curry Cup back to Dubai.