November 11, 2026 | Men's Golf
NEWS
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois head coach Mike Small announced Wednesday (Nov. 11) the signing of Arthur Haghedooren to the Fighting Illini men's golf program. Haghedooren will join the Illini next fall as a freshman for the 2027-28 season.
A native of Melsbroek, Belgium, he joins the ranks of talented Belgian golfers – Thomas Pieters, Thomas Detry, Giovanni Tadiotto, Adrien Dumont de Chassart, and Matthis Besard – who have competed for Small and the Fighting Illini.
ARTHUR HAGHEDOOREN | MELSBROEK, BELGIUM | GO! NEXT SPORTSCHOOL HASSELT
HAGHEDOOREN'S HIGHLIGHTS: Haghedooren comes to Illinois as one of the most decorated young golfers in Europe, ranked No. 1 in Belgium and No. 27 overall in the U18 European Golf Rankings. In May, he competed for the second time on the DP World Tour at the 2026 Soudal Open at Rinkven International Golf Club outside Antwerp. After making his debut as a 14-year-old in the same event in 2024, when he competed alongside Besard, Dumont de Chassart, and Pieters (who finished as runner-up), Haghedooren returned two years later to secure his first DP World Tour cut and shot 4-under to close as the top amateur in the field (T68). Over the last two years, Haghedooren has also posted three top-15 finishes in professional events, placing ninth at the 2026 Russo Open at Cleydael on the Pro Golf Tour, ninth at the 2025 San Lorenzo Open hosted by the Portuguese Golf Federation, and 15th at the Omnium Classic of Belgium organized by the Royal Belgian Golf Federation. During that time, he has excelled in junior events, with seven top 20s and three top-five finishes, highlighted by a win at the 2025 Belgian National Juniors Championship. Haghedooren also finished third at the 2025 FJT Belgium Championship and fifth at the 2025 Italian International U16 Championship. Competing in the U.S., Haghedooren posted a 10th-place finish at the 2026 Junior Orange Bowl International Championship in January, and most recently he posted a T19 finish at the AJGA Junior PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass in September.
QUOTING HAGHEDOOREN: "I chose Illinois because it has always been my dream to be part of the Fighting Illini. Growing up in Belgium, I have always looked up to the Belgian golfers who have played there. Being able to join a team that shares the same goals and ambitions is truly a dream come true. The facilities, team culture, and overall environment are incredible. I am excited to learn from Coach Small and keep pushing myself to reach my full potential."
SMALL ON HAGHEDOOREN: "Arthur is a talented young man who will bring with him a strong résumé along with a very disciplined and mature approach to everything that he does. His growth has been steady and consistent, and he has shown that he can win and compete against the best junior golfers anywhere.
"Arthur also follows a long list of successful Belgian golfers to our program, and I know that he will bring the same level of skill and competitiveness that has become the standard for young Belgian student-athletes."
