Malaysian Maverick Takes Inspiration from McIlroy

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Maverick Chua will draw inspiration from six-time Major champion Rory McIlroy when he tees-off in the 17th edition of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC).

One of six Malaysians in the field at New Zealand’s Te Arai Links from October 29 to November 1, Chua is eagerly anticipating the prospect of locking horns with the region’s elite amateurs.

In what is his second AAC appearance, Chua will be aiming to display the type of composure under pressure that the 16-year-old has admired in Northern Irishman McIlroy.

“My biggest inspiration is Rory McIlroy. I like watching how he plays and handles pressure. I can learn a lot from his game. He also motivates me to keep improving and work towards playing at the highest level,” said Chua.

Reflecting on missing the half-way cut in Dubai last year, Chua says the experience he gained was an important learning opportunity.

He said: “It means a lot to me to play in the AAC for the second time. I learned a lot from my first AAC in Dubai and I’m excited to come back and compete against some of the best amateur players in the region.”

His participation at Te Arai Links, located north of Auckland, carries added significance as he attended the AAC Academy at the venue earlier this year. The programme gave promising talents such as Chua the opportunity to train and play on the golf course while learning from coaches and fellow elite amateurs.

“The Academy was a really good experience. I got to train and play at Te Arai Links and learn more about the course. I also learned a lot about course management and got to spend time around other good players and coaches,” said Chua.

Having already experienced Te Arai Links, Chua believes the layout will provide a stern but fair examination of every aspect of a golfer’s game. 

He said: “I really enjoyed playing Te Arai Links. It’s a beautiful course but also very challenging. You have to think about where you want to hit your shots, and the wind can make a big difference. I think it tests every part of your game and your course management.”

Like many competitors in the 120-player field, Chua is aware of the opportunities that await the AAC champion, with an invitation to the Masters Tournament and an exemption to The Open Championship among the coveted rewards. However, he knows the best approach is to focus on the process rather than the prize.

“The Masters and The Open are tournaments that every golfer wants to play in. It gives everyone extra motivation, but I think it’s important to just focus on your own game and take it one shot at a time,” he said.

Chua’s golfing journey began at the age of six, and his passion for continual improvement remains a driving force behind his ambitions. Looking ahead, he hopes to play NCAA Division I golf in the United States before pursuing a professional career.

In the history of the AAC, Malaysia’s best finish is joint seventh on three occasions – Mohd Iszaimi Ismail (2009), Ervin Chang (2018) and Marcus Lim (2023).

The five other Malaysians joining Chua in the starting line-up at Te Arai Links are Anson Yeo, Nateesh Ganesh, Hariz Hezri, Afham Othman and Aiden Kei.  

The AAC was inaugurated in 2009 by the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), The R&A and the Masters Tournament to further develop amateur golf in the region.