AUCKLAND (Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship): Filipino Jaden Dumdumaya was a forlorn figure at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship on Saturday (Oct 31) despite firing his best round of the week at Te Arai Links.
The 20-year-old University of Southern California standout carded an even-par 71 to move up to solo 13thplace on 4-over 217, some 11 strokes behind 54-hole leader Zack Swanwick of New Zealand, who shot a 67 to lead by two strokes from defending champion Fifa Laopakdee of Thailand (73) and another Kiwi, Cooper Moore (71).
Making his Asia-Pacific Amateur debut, Dumdumaya was disappointed he dropped a double bogey on the 16th hole, which was compounded by another bogey at the next hole. Despite making amends with a closing birdie, he knew he had missed an opportunity to inch closer to the new leader.
“I think I played pretty solid throughout the day. I had back‑to‑back birdies on 14 and 15, and unfortunately had a lost ball on 16 that cost me a couple shots. Then the next hole, I missed my landing spot by a yard, and my ball fell into the bunker. I hit a decent bunker shot to six feet and barely missed the putt,” said Dumdumaya.
“I mean, disappointed with those two holes. I can't complain … I played solid and pretty steady golf.”
He arrived in New Zealand harbouring hopes of challenging for the Asia-Pacific Amateur title where the champion earns coveted starts at the Masters and The Open next year. Dumdumaya has already experienced the magic of Augusta National, venue of the Masters, after winning the Boys' 14-15 Division during the 2022 Drive, Chip and Putt Finals, which is held the week prior to the year’s opening major.
If he could replay one shot from his third round, which enjoyed much calmer conditions than the opening two rounds, Dumdumaya said he would not have used the driver on the 16th hole.
“I had the momentum going. I was kind of feeling it, and I feel like I should have played a little bit higher percentage golf shot instead of hitting driver on 16,” he conceded.
“Have fun (tomorrow). Obviously grateful to be out here, and just going to go and try and shoot as low as I can and whatever that number is or whatever I shoot tomorrow, I'll walk away pretty happy and proud of myself to be out here and representing the Philippines.”
Reigning Philippine Amateur Open champion Shinichi Suzuki shot a 76 to end the third round in T52 on 18-over.
