The first round of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at the Taiheiyo Club in Gotemba, Japan, saw Indonesia’s Randy Bintang take the lead with an impressive five-under 65. Despite challenging conditions and pouring rain, 17-year-old Rayan Ahmed from the UAE put on a confident display with a four-over-par 74, including a birdie on the 12th hole. The competition featured players from various countries in the Middle East, with Saudi Arabia’s Khalid Attieh and Ali Alsakha delivering solid performances.
The tournament, organized by the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), Augusta National, and The R&A, brings together players from 43 countries, with the ultimate winner earning invitations to prestigious events like The Masters, The Open Championship, and The Amateur Championship in 2025. The event also offers exemptions into The Open Qualifying Series, providing a pathway to compete in The Open Championship.
Japan’s home advantage was evident in the first round, with players T. Moto and R. Nakano finishing just one stroke behind the leader. Despite the tough course conditions, Rayan Ahmed remained focused on his game plan, emphasizing the importance of taking it one shot at a time. The Middle East contingent, including players from Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, demonstrated strong performances in the opening round.
Looking ahead, the 2025 AAC is set to be hosted by the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) at Emirates Golf Club, showcasing the prestigious Majlis Course. The tournament features a 36-hole cut, allowing the top 60 players and ties to progress, with the possibility of earning valuable exemptions into future events. For live coverage and further information on the championship, fans can visit www.aacgolf.com. Leading the first-round scores were Bintang from Indonesia, N. Shen from Hong Kong, Japan’s Moto, and Nakano, all carding impressive scores to set the pace for the remainder of the competition.
