Thailand’s Fifa Laopakdee is returning to the Masters Tournament and headed to St. Andrews.
He successfully defended his Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship title Nov. 1, winning at Te Arai Links’ South Course in Tomarata, New Zealand. His six-under 278 edged runner-up Zack Swanwick of New Zealand by three strokes.
One year after winning the Asia-Pacific Amateur in Dubai, Laopakdee joins 2021 Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama as the only players to win back-to-back Asia-Pacific Amateur Championships. Matsuyama won the tournament in consecutive years in 2010-11.
“That feels amazing to join the club,” Laopakdee said. “Hideki has played a huge part in golf for Japan, and also Asia. Being able to win back-to-back like him is a huge honor. And yeah, I mean, he’s a great player. I hope to follow his footsteps.”
The Asia-Pacific Amateur was created in 2009 by the Masters Tournament, The R&A and the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation to further develop amateur golf throughout the region. The field is comprised annually of the top male amateurs in the Asia-Pacific region from the 43 affiliated organizations.
In addition to an invitation to the 2027 Masters, Laopakdee also has an exemption into the 155th Open at St. Andrews with the win. He made his debut in each major earlier this year at Augusta National Golf Club and Royal Birkdale Golf Club, but missed the cut in each event.
“I feel like I’m more proud of myself this year because I never stopped believing in myself, and even though I had a tough year,” Laopakdee said. “I literally didn’t win a single thing since March. I just keep telling myself that I’ve still got it.
“Shout out to my friends, my family, my coaches, my teammates, that still believe in me and push me hard every day. This win means a lot because I’m able to prove to myself that I’ve still got it.”
Laopakdee, a senior at Arizona State, began the final round trailing Swanwick by two strokes alongside New Zealand’s Cooper Moore. After dropping two strokes over his first eight holes, Laopakdee played the final 10 holes in three under to reach six under for the Championship, with birdies at Nos. 9, 11 and 17.