AUCKLAND (Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship): Indonesia’s Rayhan Latief made three closing birdies for a one-under 70 and tied 14th place at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship on Saturday as he put himself in position to post his country’s best ever finish.
After navigating the opening 12 holes at a sun-kissed Te Arai Links in 2-over, Rayhan burst to life with a stellar finish as he rolled in a 30-footer on the 16th hole, made a 12-foot conversion on the par-3 17th hole before sinking a final birdie from 14 feet to post his best round of the week.
“Three birdies in a row, it's a little roller-coaster round,” said Rayhan. “I made a double‑bogey on 11 and bogey on 12, so I think that's a pretty big moment right there.”
The 19-year-old, who is making his fifth straight appearance at the Championship, had hoped to be into contention this week and will now seek to improve on his personal best of T17 achieved in Dubai last year. It is also the joint best finish by an Indonesian in the Asia-Pacific Amateur.
“Of course I can do it for myself and my country, but I think I can do way better than being better than last year, better than T17,” said Rayhan, who is a sophomore at the University of North Texas.
“Just trying to put myself in a good position and be focused on the process every time I go out there and play.”
Debutant Jayawardana Dornan, the other Indonesian who made the halfway cut, carded a 77 for a tied 45th position.
New Zealand’s Zack Swanwick seized the 54-hole lead following a 67, two ahead of defending champion Fifa Laopakdee of Thailand (73) and another Kiwi, Cooper Moore (71).
Swanwick is aiming to deliver a first Asia-Pacific Amateur title for New Zealand. “I think I have to stick to the game plan. Hit fairways and greens. It’s a spot I’ve not been in a while, and I’ll try to enjoy every second of it,” said the 20-year-old, who is 24th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
The winner of the Asia-Pacific Amateur will earn coveted spots in next year’s Masters and The Open.
