In this weekend's playing of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, Fifa Laopakdee became the second player in history to successfully defend his crown as he usurped New Zealander Zack Swanwick in the final round at Te Arai Links' South Course in New Zealand, one year after winning the title in Dubai. Laopakdee joins Hideki Matsuyama as the only players to win back-to-back Asia-Pacific Amateurs, and perhaps poetically, he will return to Augusta National for the 2027 Masters as the victory comes with a tee time in the year's first major championship. The senior at Arizona State also earned a spot in The Open at St.
"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.
I hope to follow in his footsteps." Despite Laopakdee's fast start to his title defense (opening 63 in tough conditions), all eyes were on Swanwick heading into the final round. New Zealand's own commanded a two-stroke lead with 18 holes to play and remained on top by the same margin heading into the par-4 11th, where the championship turned on its head. Swanwick pulled his approach into the green left and found a menacingly deep greenside bunker.
He threw his third a hair too long and watched as his ball gained distance from his position. The Florida Gators star carded a triple bogey (his only double bogey or worse of the week), while the defending champion snuck in his birdie bid to go from two behind to two ahead. The defending champion is back in the driver's seat!Laopakdee makes birdie on No. 11 to take a two shot lead over Swanwick.#AACGolf pic.twitter.com/GtSvFOKxpP Laopakdee ultimately claimed the title by three strokes at 6 under over Swanwick as a birdie on the devilish par-3 17th allowed the man from Thailand to breathe coming down the finisher.
While Laopakdee's name is once again etched into history, another winner from the week must be the golf course itself. The Coore and Crenshaw design jumped off the screen and gave players all they could handle, proving once again that the closer championship conditions mimic that of links golf, the better. When variables such as turf conditions and wind direction must be weighed on every shot, not every golfer in the field can lift their game to the moment, leaving only the strongest to duke it out.
Bryson DeChambeau just surpassed 3 million subscribers on his YouTube channel. Of his last five videos, one features the Amish, and another features sports media personality Stephen A. It is a video not on his channel, though, that is piquing the curiosity of professional golf fans.
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