Kobori and Jones Join Professional Ranks

Melbourne, Australia: Kazuma Kobori and Sam Jones hit their last shots as amateurs at Royal Melbourne Golf Club’s Composite Course during the 14th edition of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC).

Instead of teeing-up at the New Zealand Amateur this week, Kobori is making his professional debut at the Queensland PGA Championship while Jones has headed to Spain for the second stage of DP World Tour Q-School.

The only thing that would have stopped the pair from turning professional was victory at the AAC which rewards its winner with starts at The Open and the Masters.

Kobori was in the hunt through three rounds with scores of 66, 75, and 74, and snuck into the final group alongside Sampson Zheng, the third-round leader.

After finishing in solo sixth place, Kobori said: “I’m disappointed that my last-ever round (as an amateur) was 73. But I’m very fortunate to have done it at Royal Melbourne, such a great venue. I don’t really know what to expect ahead because I’ve played amateur golf for the last 12 years.”

Among the highlights of his amateur career were finishing as the low individual at last month’s World Amateur Team Championships for the Eisenhower Trophy in Abu Dhabi, winning the Western Amateur and Australian Amateur this year, as well as being medallist at Australasian Tour School.

While Kobori seeks his first pay cheque at Nudgee Golf Club, Jones will be aiming to progress from the Q-School in Europe.

The 27-year-old left-hander finished in equal 24th at the AAC, carding rounds of 72, 76, 73, and 76.

He said: “Walking up 18 (at Royal Melbourne), it kind of hit me that this was my last event as an amateur. But it’s not like I’m not playing anymore, it’s just going to be a little bit different playing for some money and for my livelihood.

“I’m really excited to get into it – it’s going to be busy and it’s going to be tough, but I’m excited.”

Reflecting on his successful amateur career, Jones, a two-time Jennian Homes Charles Tour winner, said: “Once I came back from college if you had told me I would win 11 or 12 Order of Merit events and finish second in a handful of Jennian Homes Charles Tour events, I’m not sure I would have believed you. It’s been a gradual progression each year.”

Unlike Kobori and Jones, Zack Swanwick hopes to vie for AAC glory in 2024 when the event goes to Japan.

After ending in a share of 12th place on his AAC debut at Royal Melbourne, he said: “It was a great week. I wish I could have played a bit better, but that’s life. I really enjoyed it – it’s been a great experience, and I’m keen to come back next year and get my revenge.”