AUCKLAND: As a kid, Shinichi Suzuki would make-believe that his next putt on the putting green was to win the Masters or The Open.
This week, the 18-year-old from the Philippines will driven by his childhood dreams of playing in those majors as the winner of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at Te Arai Links, which starts on Thursday, will earn coveted spots in both events next year.
“I still remember when I was like seven, eight years old, I would always be on the practice green, like having this putt to win the Masters, to win The Open. I'm sure almost every golfer does that, and hopefully this week would be a dream come true to be able to play in the Masters and The Open,” said Suzuki.
It will be his fourth attempt in the prestigious amateur Championship, which was launched in 2009 by the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation, The R&A and the Masters Tournament to further develop the growth of the game in the region.
Suzuki’s confidence has been boosted by a maiden victory at the Philippine Amateur Open in August, which he credited to a training stint at the AAC Academy in May that served as the catalyst for his good form.
“Seeing where my game is trending, I like my chances this week. It's given me a good confidence boost,” said Suzuki, who finished T30 and T45 in the past two years after missing the cut on his AAC debut in 2023.
“I had the yips on my chipping, and I had been struggling before the Academy. During the week, I had a great session with coach Scott Barr, who is our short game specialist and he brought me back to the basics, and we gradually tried to know which part of the game I needed to work on and I could capitalise on. After the Academy, I realised my short game is finally back and I gained a lot of confidence.”
Picking up the sport as a child came naturally, as his father, Yukio, was the club-fitter for legendary Japanese golfers Jumbo and Jet Ozaki, who amassed more than 100 tournament wins combined in Japan. Suzuki intends to head to the U.S. soon to advance his amateur career through the collegiate system and knows a strong showing at the Asia-Pacific Amateur will help his cause.
“I'm just grateful to be here for my fourth time. I still remember playing my first Asia-Pacific like it was yesterday. I can't wait to play this week. It’s one of the best golf courses in the world, probably my favourite stop on the list,” he said.
“It's going to be a lot windier this week. The greens are pretty firm. We couldn't really stop the ball on the greens and we just have to be precise on where we land our approach shots.”
No golfer from the Philippines has won the Asia-Pacific Amateur since its launch in 2009, with Lloyd Jefferson Go’s fourth-place finish at the 2018 edition in Singapore being the best result.
Suzuki hopes to contend at Te Arai Links, which has 16 holes that overlooks the Pacific Ocean.
“There's a big expectation. Of course, winning this tournament would get you to the Masters and The Open. We trust in our preparation, and we know we are capable of winning this tournament.”
Jaden Dumdumaya, who is ranked 67th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, and Rolando Bregente, runner-up at the Philippine Amateur behind Suzuki, will both make their Asia-Pacific Amateur debuts, while Chris Remata will aim to improve on his debut performance in Dubai last year, when he missed the cut.
Bregente, 24, said: “I’m excited for this opportunity, especially knowing the champion will get into the Masters and The Open. I’m looking to make the cut to make it a good first-time experience. I hope to keep getting into this tournament to test my game against the best in the region.
Remata added: “Despite the winds being the main challenge, it'll be fun to play here. In the Philippines, one of the golf courses that I play on is pretty similar with the winds so I’ve got the experience and I enjoy the challenge.
This tournament is a big opportunity; it's amazing.” -- Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship
