Fifa Laopakdee defends Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship title

Thai golfer Fifa Laopakdee has successfully defended his Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship title at Te Arai Links South Course. Laopakdee finished the tournament at six-under par, securing invitations to the 2027 Masters and the Open Championship. He is the first player to win consecutive titles since Hideki Matsuyama in 2010 and 2011.

New Zealand's Zack Swanwick entered the final round with a two-shot lead but finished second at three-under par. The 20-year-old from Napier experienced a turning point on the par-four 11th hole, where a triple-bogey seven saw his lead vanish. Swanwick's approach landed in a greenside bunker, and his subsequent chip shot rolled back down a slope to his feet.

Laopakdee birdied the 11th hole to take the lead during the same sequence. The Thai player, a college golfer at Arizona State University, expressed emotion at the trophy ceremony, stating, "To pull it off, it means the whole world to me". He also noted that English golfer Justin Rose had promised him a practice round at the Masters if he returned next year.

Other New Zealanders performed strongly, with Cooper Moore finishing fourth at one-under par. Ryan Xie claimed the joint-low round of the day with a five-under 66 to finish fifth. Australian Kayun Mudadana secured third place at two-under par.

Compiled from reports by NZ Herald, Stuff, RNZ and The Post.