Live Scoring: Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship 2025

Round 3 Update: Japan’s Taisei Nagasaki Takes Command in Dubai

Sixteen-year-old Taisei Nagasaki showcased exceptional skill in the third round of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis Course, securing a remarkable seven-under 65 that positions him with a commanding five-shot lead as the tournament approaches its final day.

Entering the round just one stroke behind the leading contender, Nagasaki surged ahead early, marking four birdies in his first seven holes. Despite encountering a bogey on the par-4 12th, he quickly recovered, adding four more birdies before concluding his round at 17-under-par, setting a new 54-hole scoring record by surpassing the previous mark of 14-under.

“The good thing today was that I was able to get four birdies on the front nine,” Nagasaki explained. “In the back nine, I didn’t play well at No. 12, but got one back at the next par 5, which also led to three consecutive birdies. I wanted to put myself in a good position to win tomorrow, and I’m happy with my score today.”

Currently a student at Tommy Nakajima’s Academy in Japan, Nagasaki has ambitious plans of competing at both the Masters and Royal Birkdale should he clinch victory. If successful, he would join notable Japanese champions such as Hideki Matsuyama and Takumi Kanaya on this prestigious list.

Nagasaki has already had an impressive season, earning co-medalist honors at the Toyota Junior World Cup and finishing as runner-up at the Japan Amateur Championship. This event marks his inaugural appearance at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship.

In close pursuit are Rintaro Nakano from Japan at 12-under, Fifa Laopakdee from Thailand at 11-under, and a group of contenders at 10-under, consisting of Australians Billy Dowling and Harry Takis, along with Khanh Hung Le from Vietnam. Nakano, who placed third in last year’s championship, remains a formidable competitor.

Adding to the excitement of the tournament, Kanichiro Katano from Japan achieved the tournament’s first hole-in-one at the par-3 11th hole, marking the eighth occurrence of this remarkable feat in the championship’s history.

Sunday’s final round will see tee times scheduled from 9:00 to 11:01 a.m. local time. The tournament champion will receive invitations to both the 2026 Masters Tournament and The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, alongside an exemption into The Amateur Championship at Royal Liverpool.

Storylines & Notables

Major Pathways on the Line

The champion of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship earns direct invitations to the Masters and The Open, as well as an exemption into The Amateur.

Desert Demands

Competitors are challenged by the wind, firm fairways, and perched greens at the Majlis Course, where precision is crucial for success.

Depth Across the Region

The 120-player field features national contingents from Australia, Japan, Korea, China, Thailand, New Zealand, India, and the UAE, highlighting the competitive depth in the tournament.

Cutline Pressure

With a mid-week cut to the top 60 players and ties, the scoring during the second round is particularly pivotal in determining who advances.

How It Works

Format

The championship consists of 72 holes of stroke play, with a cut after 36 holes that includes the leading 60 players and ties. Ties for the championship are resolved through a sudden-death playoff.

Qualification

Invitations to participate are issued through member organizations of the APGC. Each country is allotted at least one spot for its highest-ranked player in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, with additional positions based on ranking depth. Remaining spots cater to the next highest-ranked players, capped at seven per country.

Exemptions for Finishers

The champion secures a place in the Masters and The Open, while runner-up(s) are granted entry to the Open Qualifying Series, and the top three players earn spots in The Amateur Championship.

The Course: Majlis, Emirates Golf Club

The Majlis Course holds the distinction of being the Middle East’s original championship desert layout featuring fast corridors, strategic bunkering, and exposed greens. Players can expect scoring fluctuations, particularly as afternoon winds influence play, with firm greens rewarding well-placed approaches.

The Field

A diverse lineup of 120 players represents the extensive reach of the APGC, with participants from Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, New Zealand, India, the UAE, and beyond.

2024 Recap: Wenyi Ding Victorious

Last year, Wenyi Ding entered as the highest-ranked competitor and emerged victorious with a score of 12-under, narrowly defeating Ziqin Zhou. Ding’s consistent performance of four consecutive rounds at 3-under 67 solidified his place in Asia-Pacific Amateur history.

The Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, orchestrated by the APGC, the Masters Tournament, and The R&A, rotates across notable venues throughout the region, offering the champion unparalleled opportunities in the world of golf.

Schedule & Coverage

• Round 1: Thursday, Oct. 23
• Round 2: Friday, Oct. 24 (cut to top 60 & ties after 36 holes)
• Round 3: Saturday, Oct. 25
• Final Round: Sunday, Oct. 26 (playoff if necessary)

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