Dubai is set to welcome an abundance of the next generation of talent at November’s Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) with a host of Emirati players joining the likes of World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) No.1, Keita Nakajima, at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.
The Japanese star followed in the footsteps of countryman Takumi Kanaya earlier this year in winning the McCormack Medal, which is awarded to the leading player in the WAGR after the final elite event of the year, and will be hoping to emulate his success in the AAC with Kanaya securing the 2018 trophy thanks to a two-stroke win over Nakajima and Dubai-born Rayhan Thomas.
The 21-year-old also joined Kanaya in winning on the Japan Golf Tour as an amateur – only the fifth player to do so – with a play-off victory at last month’s Panasonic Open, while two-time APAC champion and 2020 Masters Tournament winner, Hideki Matsuyama, achieved the same feat in 2011.
While Nakajima comes into the event as the man to beat, it won’t be an easy prospect with a plethora of top-class amateurs vying to be crowned champion and reap the rewards that come with it. One man who knows all about that is two-time, and defending, champion Lin Yuxin, who secured invites to both The Open Championship and Masters Tournament after winning the AAC in 2017 and 2019.
“It’s a wonderful tournament that has given me the opportunity to play in both the Masters and The Open, for which I’m very grateful,” said the left-hander.
The Chinese star is back to defend his title and will be joined by countryman Bo Jin, Republic of Korea’s Sam Choi and Thailand’s Puwit Anupansuebsai as the four next best-ranked players after Nakajima.
The Middle East will have plenty of players in the prestigious event with Jordan’s Shergo Al Kurdi leading the line in terms of WAGR in 364th position, closely followed by Saudi Arabia’s Saud Al Sharif in 433rd.
“I’m really looking forward to the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship,” said Al Kurdi. “I’m really proud to be representing Jordan and the Arab region in such a prestigious event and I’m really happy it being held in the UAE. Hopefully more countries in the Middle East will follow in hosting the event in years to come.
“My game is in good place right which has been showed by some good results recently including a third-place finish on a TP Tour event, which is for professionals. I’m working hard and hopefully I’ll be in a great position to compete for the AAC title.”
Emirati representation will come in the form of the UAE’s No.1 golfer Ahmad Skaik, Hugo Garcia and Saif Thabet, who played in the 2019 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship after finishing second at the Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship.
“I am very excited, I am looking forward to travel because I haven’t travelled in a while but having it in your home is very nice and hosting it in a course that we know well,” said Sakik. “It’s just eight minutes from my house! I’m just ready to start the season and play in tournaments again.
“It’s always fun to play there because it’s a very big amateur event and they make us feel special with the way they treat the players there, and for me to represent the UAE is an honour.”
