AUCKLAND (Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship): Vietnam’s Nguyen Tuan Anh and Ho Anh Huy cannot wait to make a return to the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship after concluding their debut appearances in Te Arai Links in T-30 and T-44 positions, respectively on Sunday.
Tuan Anh, who has committed to play for University of Southern California, signed for a 77 and a 11-over total while Anh Huy concluded his campaign with his best score of the week following a 72 and 18-over total.
Thailand’s Fifa Laopakdee successfully retained his Asia-Pacific Amateur title to secure coveted starts in the Masters and The Open once again, a closing 70 earning a three-shot victory over overnight leader Zack Swanwick who carded a 75. Fifa also became only the second golfer to win back-to-back titles after Hideki Matsuyama (2010/2011).
Anh Ho, 16, believes the experience in New Zealand has given him a better perspective of the work that lies ahead as he eagerly look to tee up again in the Asia-Pacific Amateur next year when it is held in Vietnam for the first time at Hoiana Shores.
“It's been a great experience. Great course, great facilities, great organisation. Learned a lot over the last three days. It's been a great week. Definitely playing in conditions that we're not used to,” said Anh Huy.
“I know now that I just have to keep showing up each day and I'll get to where I can contend. This week has exposed weaknesses, so much wind, tricky conditions. It's back to the drawing board and back to more practice.”
Tuan Anh added: “Very disappointed this week. I played really bad on the last day. I started quite well, one over through six. I felt I got the momentum with some birdies. Just have to practice and improve. I need to practice more.”
The 21-year-old Fifa, who won the Championship via a play-off against Taisei Nagasaki in Dubai last year, broke down in tears during the trophy presentation after he overturned an overnight two-shot deficit with a composed display worthy of a two-time champion.
“It's been a tough year for me. I didn't play great at all this year, and this is like one of the last events and I wanted to prove to myself that I still got it and I’m still capable to win this event again. To pull it off, it means the whole world to me,” said Fifa. -- Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship
