Defending Champion Delivers Opening-Day Masterclass

Auckland, New Zealand: Pongsapak ‘Fifa’ Laopakdee produced two strokes of genius to propel him to the top of the leaderboard in his Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) title defence. 

Bidding to become just the second player after Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama to win the region’s premier amateur championship back-to-back, the 21-year-old Thai signed for an opening eight-under-par 63.

That included a hole out from 83 yards for an eagle-two at the ninth and seven birdies, highlighted by a miraculous three at the par-four 15th where his approach from a sandy lie 150 yards from the green struck the flagstick and came to rest an inch from the cup.

On a day when many of the 120 players in the starting line-up were blown off course at Te Arai Links’ South Course, Fifa showed his class.

He said: “I couldn’t have asked for a better way to start.  Before the round, I knew it was going to be tough. It was definitely one of the best rounds I’ve played this year, by far.

“As I said earlier this week, only Hideki has defended his title. I want to be the second guy.  It would be amazing. If I don’t win, I know I will have tried my best. But if I win, it will be great.” 

Heading into Friday’s second round, just 16 players are in red figures with a quartet of New Zealanders leading the chasing pack.

In sole possession of second place on 66 is Joshua Bai with Ryan Xie and Cooper Moore in joint third after matching 67s. Yuka Miya is among five players tied for sixth on two-under 69, alongside Australian Kayun Mudadana, Malaysian Nateesh Ganesh, China's Wu Qiyou and Hong Kong’s Joseph Cao, at 14 the youngest player in the field.

Also off to a good start was Japan’s Kaito Sato in fifth spot on 68.

Playing alongside Fifa in the marquee group, Australian Harry Takis and New Zealand’s Zack Swanwick – the top-rated players in the field at 21st and 23rd in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) – returned scores of 70 and 72 respectively.

But the day belonged to Arizona State University Senior Fifa who became the first Thai to capture the AAC crown when he triumphed at Emirates Golf Club last year.

That success secured him starts in the Masters Tournament and Open Championship this year, whetting his appetite for performing at golf’s top table and providing the motivation for him to return to the two Majors in 2027 by retaining his AAC title.

Matsuyama won the AAC in 2010 and 2011 and has gone on to enjoy a brilliant career among the ranks of the professionals, highlighted by his victory in the 2021 Masters Tournament.

On the evidence of his day one performance here, there’s every chance that Fifa could emulate Matsuyama’s AAC feat.

Swanwick was lavish in his praise of Fifa. He said: “He didn't miss a shot. It was pretty impressive to watch, to be honest with you. I didn't see 63 in the wind today, but he played unbelievable golf.” 

Reflecting on his round of 66, Bai said: “I felt like I managed my game pretty well out there. It was tricky conditions with the wind. It’s still very early in the week, but it’s nice to start off with a solid round like that.”