Italian golf celebrates in Portugal. Ludovico Addabbo earned his first professional victory at the PGA Aroeira Challenge, the opening event of the 2025 MENA Tour, dominating the tournament with a solid 18 points, leaving local favorite Pedro Figueiredo three shots behind.
Addabbo displayed solidity throughout the week, consistently at the top of the leaderboard, right up until the final round, which ended without a bogey. The Italian started strong with two birdies on the first three holes and never let up. A chip-in on the 17th essentially sealed the tournament, before a final par on the 18th amidst the embrace of his teammates.
“I thought I’d be more nervous, but instead I handled it very well. The chip on the 17th was incredible, then I just tried to stay in the moment,” said Ludovico Addabbo after his victory.
He received $18,000, part of the $100,000 prize pool.
Ludovico Addabbo, results
Second place went to Figueiredo, who snatched second place from Scotsman Sebastian Sandin with an eagle on the 17th. Sandin, who started as a favorite, bogeyed three times in the final four holes.
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On the Italian side, Aron Zemmer had a strong performance, finishing seventh (-10). Seven other Italians finished in the money: Marco Florioli, 21st with a 210 (-6), Flavio Michetti and Andrea Martini, 28th with a 211 (-5), Giovanni Manzoni, 33rd with a 212 (-4), Enrico Di Nitto, 35th with a 213 (-3), Davide Buchi, 43rd with a 215 (-1), and Rocco Sanjust, 47th with a 216 (par).
What is the MENA Tour?
The MENA Tour (Middle East & North Africa Tour) is a globally recognized professional golf circuit that counts toward the World Ranking. Created with the aim of developing and strengthening golf in the Middle East, North Africa, and some European destinations, over the years it has become a competitive platform for professionals and emerging young players.
The PGA Aroeira Challenge was the first of a series of twelve seasonal events. After the inaugural event, the circuit will remain in Portugal for the Rolear Algarve Classic, before moving on to Egypt and Morocco.
