Fifa earns Open and Masters tickets with Asia-Pacific win - Bangkok Post
Pongsapak 'Fifa' Laopakdee poses with the trophy. (Photo: PR) Pongsapak "Fifa" Laopakdee successfully defended his Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship title, winning the 2026 edition at Te Arai Links' South Course in New Zealand yesterday.
Fifa, the 31st-ranked amateur golfer in the world, finished the final round on one under for a tournament total of six-under 278 as he edged runner-up Zack Swanwick of New Zealand by three strokes.
Fifa surged into the lead during the back nine and sealed his victory with a birdie on the 17th hole. With the victory, Fifa earns an invitation to the 2027 Masters Tournament and an exemption into the 155th British Open at St Andrews.
"I feel like I'm more proud of myself this year because I never stopped believing in myself, and even though I had a tough year," said Fifa. "I literally didn't win a single thing since March. I just keep telling myself that I've still got it."
He is only the second player in the tournament's history to successfully defend his championship after Japan's Hideki Matsuyama in 2010 and 2011.
The 2026 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship -- the 17th edition of the event -- was organised by the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) in partnership with the Masters Tournament and the R&A, featuring 120 golfers from 39 countries.
Japan's Miyu Yamashita retained her Maybank Championships title at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club yesterday.
Despite a charging field, world No.4 Yamashita kept her cool in the hot weather to maintain her two-stroke overnight lead and finish ahead of China's Yan Liu.
Yamashita, 25, posted a four-under par 68 yesterday for a total of 266, while Yan Liu also carded a 68 for a total of 268.
Trailing one stroke behind were Thai amateur Marisa Tojai (67) and France's Pauline Roussin-Bouchard (69).
