The 16th edition of the esteemed Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) is ready to unfold. Since its inception in 2009, this premier amateur golf event has been a collaboration between the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, The Masters Tournament, and The R&A.
The 72-hole championship kicks off on Thursday on the renowned Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club, showcasing some of the sport’s brightest young talents.
Starting at 6:45 a.m., the first tee-off features the UAE’s own Mohammad Skaik. Competitors will play in groups of three. The last group will tee off at 12:44 p.m., with simultaneous starts on two tees scheduled for both morning and afternoon sessions.
During Wednesday’s final practice round, brothers Mohammad and Ahmad Skaik paired up with Jonathan Selvaraj (UAE) for a last rehearsal. Meanwhile, UAE players Sam Mullane, Rayan Ahmed, and Rashed Al Emadi chose a more relaxed day before the big start.
The international lineup includes the region’s top emerging talent. Competitors like last year’s runner-up Ziqin Zhou (Japan), top-five finishers Rintaro Nakano and Masato Sumiuchi (Japan), and Korean Seonghyeon add to the competition.
Australian Guidance from Herbert
Harry Takis (Aus), ranked 88th in WAGR, shared insights on how fellow Australian and LIV golfer Lucas Herbert, a former 2020 Dubai Desert Classic winner, provided strategic notes to the Australian players. He highlighted when to be aggressive or defensive on the Majlis Course, which was invaluable advice.
“The tips were incredibly helpful and will hopefully make a difference this week,” Takis said.
Last year’s champion, Wenyi Ding (China), turned professional right after his AAC victory, marking his last amateur outing. Now 19, Ding has advanced to 68th in the Race to Dubai and 247th in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), underscoring the championship’s impact on launching elite careers.
This year’s event again offers transformative opportunities. The winner will receive invitations to the Masters Tournament and The Open, while the runner-up secures a spot in The Open Qualifying Series, and the top three earn exemptions into The Amateur Championship.
Adding to the anticipation, UAE’s Rayan Ahmed celebrated a significant 137-place jump to No. 1,113 in the WAGR, after recent victories in the Faldo Junior Tour and Tommy Fleetwood International Pathway Series.
The AAC remains a pivotal event for fostering elite amateur golf across the region. With a top-tier field and Major invitations on the line, the Majlis Course is set for four days of captivating golf action.
Round One Tee Times for UAE Players:
• M. Skaik – 6:45 a.m. (Tee 1)
• J. Selvaraj – 7:40 a.m. (Tee 10)
• A. Skaik – 8:13 a.m. (Tee 10)
• S. Mullane – 8:24 a.m. (Tee 1)
• R. Ahmed – 11:16 a.m. (Tee 10)
• R. Al Emadi – 12:00 noon (Tee 10)
For more details, visit www.aacgolf.com.
