Dubai's junior titles decided on the Earth Course
Alexander Rushika and Ananyaa Sood took the boys' and girls' titles respectively at the AJGA x Tommy Fleetwood International Pathway Series at Jumeirah Golf Estates' Earth Course, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on 14–16 October 2026. Golf Digest Middle East reported the results on 19 October, while the American Junior Golf Association's official International Pathway Series calendar independently confirms the dates, venue and Tommy Fleetwood Academy as tournament operator.
The third edition attracted 72 junior golfers for 54 holes of gross stroke play, with no cut. The event offered World Amateur Golf Ranking opportunities within the AJGA International Pathway Series.
A two-shot boys' victory for Rushika
Identified by the event report as a UAE National Squad player, Rushika posted rounds of 65, 69 and 68 for 202 strokes (14 under par). His final total was two better than Victor Larsson, described as Swedish in the report, who returned 69–68–67 for 204 (12 under).
Aayan Dadabhoy and Murray Craig shared third on 209 (seven under). Dadabhoy's rounds were 68–72–69 and Craig's were 67–71–71. John William Burke finished fifth at three under.
There is one numerical inconsistency in the source report: it calls the opening 65 “five-under”. On a par-72 course, 65 is seven-under. The published round scores add to 202 and confirm the tournament total of 14 under; this account uses that arithmetically consistent figure.
Sood finishes 13 ahead in the girls' field
Ananyaa Sood, associated with The Els Club Dubai in local competition, recorded 70–67–66 for 203 strokes (13 under par) and was the only girl to complete the event under par. Anuradha Chaudhuri finished second at even par, 216 following 72–74–70, exactly 13 shots back. Lila Bisset followed at five over, with Imogen Hall on six over and Molly Campbell on seven over.
The tournament took place in the UAE and Rushika was described as a UAE squad member. These facts should not be used to infer that every competitor, or either division's full field, has Emirati citizenship. The event was internationally contested.
A competitive pathway, not just another trophy
The AJGA explains that its International Pathway Series connects young golfers outside North America with Performance Based Entry (PBE) Status, which can support entry into AJGA tournaments in the United States and North America. The participation of the Tommy Fleetwood Academy, Emirates Golf Federation and Jumeirah Golf Estates gives locally based juniors a sanctioned opportunity to gain competitive experience and international recognition.
After the tournament, Jumeirah Golf Estates golf services manager Cameron McWhinnie thanked players and supporters. Major General Abdulla Al Hashemi, President of the Emirates Golf Federation, congratulated the winners. The venue has expressed an intention to welcome the event back next year; a future date has not yet been confirmed in the reviewed reporting.
Sources: Golf Digest Middle East, 19 October 2026 (results): https://golfdigestme.com/alexander-rushika-and-ananyaa-sood-win-ajga-x-tommy-fleetwood-international-pathway-series/; AJGA official 2026 event calendar: https://www.ajga.org/international-pathway-series. The accompanying licensed archive photograph shows Arabian Ranches Golf Club in Dubai in 2018, not the Earth Course or this tournament.
