Sixteen-year-old Taisei Nagasaki opened up a commanding five-stroke lead after the third round of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis Course. The Japanese prodigy, making his debut in the event, fired a sensational seven-under-par 65 to move to 17 under for the Championship — smashing the previous 54-hole record of 14 under.
Starting the day one shot behind the leaders, Nagasaki wasted no time seizing control with four birdies in his first seven holes. Despite a bogey at the 12th, he finished with a flourish, picking up four more birdies coming home. “The good thing today was that I was able to get four birdies on the front nine,” said Nagasaki, who turned 16 earlier this month. “On the back nine, I didn’t play well at No. 12, but I made up for it with three consecutive birdies after that.”
A Star in the Making from Japan
Nagasaki’s rise has been rapid. Earlier this year, he shared medalist honours at the Toyota Junior World Cup and finished runner-up at the Japan Amateur Championship. A student of Tommy Nakajima’s Academy, he revealed a special motivation behind his stunning form: “We promised to go to the Masters together,” said Nagasaki, referring to his coach, the 48-time Japan Tour winner who placed inside the top ten of all four Majors.
The teenager also drew inspiration from compatriot Keita Nakajima, who triumphed in Dubai in 2021. “I want to follow in his footsteps,” he said. “This is the event I always wanted to play. I’ll do my best to show my full potential and aim to win while having fun.”
Skaik Continues to Impress on Home Turf
The UAE’s Ahmad Skaik continued his steady form with a two-under 70 to sit tied 12th heading into Sunday’s final round. The 28-year-old Emirati picked up early momentum with a birdie on the 2nd, before rolling in back-to-back birdies on 13 and 14. Although dropped shots on 15 and 16 cost him ground, he bounced back immediately at the 17th to stay well inside the top 15.
“To make the cut gives me confidence,” said Skaik, who plans to turn professional after the event. “My goal here was to win, but top 12 is pretty good. Playing with top guys like TK (Ratchanon Chantananuwat) shows me I’m ready to take the next step.”
UAE’s Next Generation Soak Up the Inspiration
Skaik wasn’t the only Emirati making headlines. Sam Mullane carded a one-under 71 to share 20th place, while Rayan Ahmed’s level-par 72 kept him tied for 37th. Off the course, the next generation of UAE golfers experienced a day to remember. Emirates Golf Federation juniors toured the Majlis facilities, visited the media centre, and were treated to front-row seats for Kanichiro Katano’s hole-in-one at the 11th — the eighth in the Championship’s history.
“It’s amazing to have the juniors out here,” said Skaik. “They tell me they look up to me, and that means a lot. I always try my best for the UAE flag — everything else is a bonus.”
The Asia-Pacific Amateur champion will earn a coveted invitation to the Masters Tournament and an exemption into The Open, with further spots into The Amateur Championship available for the top three finishers.
