Italy’s Ludovico Addabbo achieved a significant milestone by winning the Aroeira Challenge, marking the beginning of the 2025–26 MENA Golf Tour season. This victory highlights not just his skills but also his mental strength throughout the tournament.
In the final round, Addabbo focused intently on maintaining his composure, a strategy that proved essential for his performance. His rounds of 66, 67, and an impressive final round of 65 culminated in an overall score of 18-under-par 198 at the PGA Aroeira near Lisbon, securing the championship by three strokes and earning an $18,000 prize from the total purse of $100,000.
Starting the week ranked 1,909 in the Official World Golf Ranking, Addabbo displayed consistent capability, sharing the opening-day lead with Scotland’s Sebastian Sandin. As he played with a narrow advantage over local favorite Pedro ‘Figgy’ Figueiredo, nerves might have been expected, yet Addabbo presented a calm facade. His early birdies at the second and third holes helped settle any early anxieties, and he continued to perform well, notably making a chip-in on the 17th hole that solidified his lead.
“I’m so happy. I was expecting to be very nervous at the end, but I was less than I thought,” Addabbo expressed after his win, celebrating with friends on the 18th green. He shared that after the 17th hole, he finally checked the leaderboard, realizing that it would only add pressure rather than change his strategy. His focus on breathing and remaining present contributed significantly to his success.
Figueiredo thrilled spectators with an eagle on the 17th hole, finishing second with an aggregate score of 15-under. Sandin, despite battling three bogeys in his last four holes, was encouraged by his performance following a strong finish at the previous week’s Q School.
“I wasn’t really hitting it the best on the front nine but was getting the most out of my game,” Sandin reflected on his challenges during the tournament. He noted that he needed to be around eight under on the back nine to remain competitive, indicating a strong understanding of the game’s demands.
Across the three rounds, a total of 46 players finished under par, with Q School winner Chris Wood tied for seventh at 10-under. The cut for the tournament fell at five-over, allowing 64 players to continue competing.
Addabbo, participating in the MENA Golf Tour for the first time, expressed his appreciation for the tour’s competitive nature. “I’ve heard a lot of good things about the Tour; it’s a great opportunity to go out there and play and not have too long an off-season,” he stated, adding that winning the first tournament was a remarkable experience.
Keith Waters, chairman and commissioner of the MENA Golf Tour, commended Addabbo’s performance, noting his ability to handle pressure during the final holes. He acknowledged the excitement from Addabbo’s fellow Italian competitors, which exemplified the camaraderie and spirit of the MENA Golf Tour.
The MENA Golf Tour’s next event is the Rolear Algarve Classic at the Amendoeira Course, scheduled from December 2-4, before moving on to Egypt in January and Morocco in February, where mid-season opportunities will emerge.
Final Leaderboard:
1. Ludovico Addabbo (ITA) – 18
2. Pedro Figueiredo (POR) – 15
3. Sebastian Sandin (SCO) – 13
4. Toby Hunt (WAL) – 12