Family Instils Joy of Golf in Humble Thai

Augusta, Georgia, United States: There is a certain calmness about Pongsapak ‘Fifa’ Laopakdee that feels almost misplaced as he prepares for a dream debut at the Masters Tournament this week.

In an era when sport is increasingly defined by hype and social media noise, the 21-year-old Thai arrived at Augusta National carrying something far less tangible, yet more enduring – calm, perspective and a mental strength that belies his young age.

In winning the 2025 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) at Emirates Golf Club last October to fulfil his lifelong ambition of earning a Masters start, Fifa smiled his way from six shots back in the final round to triumph.

He did not fret over the deficit to 54-hole leader Taisei Nagasaki of Japan. Instead, his focus was internal, to compete against himself and resist any temptation to fantasise about the trophy and the coveted invitations to the Masters Tournament and Open Championship awarded to the champion. Fifa duly prevailed in a play-off, becoming the first Thai winner of the AAC.

Long before his breakthrough in Dubai, however, Fifa, whose nickname was given by his football-loving father, was simply a boy learning the game for the joy of it. There was no grand design imposed by his parents, no rigid pathway mapped out in pursuit of excellence.

His parents, particularly his father, Peter, a golf teaching professional, made a conscious decision early on: let the game find Fifa. And it did.

Peter still keeps a photo of a two-year-old Fifa swinging a plastic club and striking table tennis balls around the house. It speaks not of precocity, but of environment. Golf was not forced upon him, it was introduced gently until it became part of who he is.

“Fifa enjoyed a typical childhood,” reflected Peter. “He played golf simply for fun and laughter. We never pressured him toward a specific sport. But with golf clubs around the house, he grew to learn about the equipment within his reach, leading Fifa to fall in love with the sport that was already a part of our daily lives.”

The emphasis on enjoyment became a guiding principle in Fifa’s upbringing. Peter and his wife, Dr Wipaporn Laopakdee fostered an ultra-positive environment at home, instilling in their eldest son the values of respect, humility and composure.

“In our family, we choose support over scolding. By reacting to his mistakes with encouragement instead of anger, he learned to prioritise his love for the game over the score. This environment has built his resilience. No matter how a hole ends, he heads to the next one with a smile and a positive mindset,” said Peter.

“We never let errors get the best of us. Our family uses real-match scenarios as case studies for Fifa. We discuss which behaviour is acceptable and which is inappropriate and ask for his perspective so he can learn.”

At 13, Fifa earned a call-up to the Thailand national amateur team. His talent was evident, as was his determination to excel both on the golf course and in the classroom. Father and son would spend four to five hours at the range after school, often late into the evening, driven largely by Fifa’s desire to hone his swing. Weekends were reserved for the course, while Mondays were strictly no-golf days to allow him to simply be a boy.

“When Fifa was called up to the national team, it led to significant time away from the classroom. This prompted his teachers to express concern, even suggesting he might need to scale back his golf schedule to focus more on his studies,” said Peter. “However, Fifa was resolute. He made a promise to his teachers he would never neglect his education.” 

Now a junior at Arizona State University, a renowned US collegiate powerhouse whose alumni include Masters champions Phil Mickelson and Jon Rahm, Fifa carries that same resoluteness into every tournament. A double-bogey does not linger. He smiles, resets and moves on.

What gives his parents greater pride is that his foundation extends beyond golf. “Fifa is a well-mannered and humble young man,” his father said. “He remains grounded and never boasts, always showing genuine respect to everyone he meets. Whenever a friend feels unwell, he takes the initiative to contact his mother to seek medical advice.”

The ultimate dream, Peter says, is to one day don the Green Jacket, which has been worn by an Asian golfer only once in 89 previous editions of the Masters when Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama won in 2021. Like Fifa, Matsuyama is a past AAC winner. He went on to claim low amateur honours at the Masters in 2011 following the first of his two AAC successes in 2010.

One of six amateurs in the field this week, Fifa would love to emulate all that Matsuyama has achieved – low amateur at Augusta, back-to-back triumphs in the AAC ... and winning the Masters.

Peter said: “As a young boy, Fifa watched the Masters on television and was captivated by the massive crowds and electric atmosphere. He asked what it would take to wear the Green Jacket. My answer was simple – ‘You must be a champion.’ ​

“That moment ignited a lifelong fire within him that one day he will earn the right to wear that Green Jacket at least once in his life. Our goal is to make the cut (this week), but whatever the final result may be, it doesn’t matter.”

*Article courtesy Chuah Choo Chiang.