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- calendar_today October 31, 2026
Laopakdee Sets the Pace at Te Arai Links
Fifa Laopakdee of Thailand continues his impressive showing at the 2026 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, held at the South Course of Te Arai Links in Tomarata, New Zealand. After carding a tournament-leading eight-under 63 in the opening round, the 21-year-old golfer overcame challenging windy conditions to post a one-over 72 on Friday. This performance keeps Laopakdee at the top of the leaderboard, two shots ahead of New Zealand's Cooper Moore through 36 holes as he defends his title.
Pathway to the Masters and The Open
The stakes are high for Laopakdee and the field. The player who emerges victorious after Sunday's final round will earn invitations to both the 2027 Masters Tournament and the 155th Open Championship. Laopakdee, a senior at Arizona State University, is no stranger to such opportunities, having won last year's Asia-Pacific Amateur and subsequently participating in both the Masters and The Open earlier in 2026.
Second Round Challenges under Windy Conditions
Laopakdee started his second round with a bogey on the par-4 10th hole but quickly recovered with birdies on Nos. 12, 13, and 17. Windy conditions intensified as the morning progressed, resulting in a difficult back nine. Despite a birdie at the third, bogeys on holes 1, 2, 4, and 5 brought him back to seven under for the tournament, but he held onto his lead. "As you can see it’s a little windy," Laopakdee remarked. "It was a grind out there for me... If you ask me like just all week, I would take seven under for the first two rounds, I would take it, definitely, and I think I’m in good position for the weekend."
Field Leaders: Moore, Swanwick, and Xie in Pursuit
Three New Zealand players currently sit near the top of the leaderboard. Cooper Moore, at 18 years old and riding momentum from a strong showing in the U.S. Junior Amateur, finished in solo second after birdies on two of his last three holes—making him the only player in the field with sub-par rounds each day (67/70, five under overall). Close behind is Ryan Xie at four under.
Also of note is Zack Swanwick, Laopakdee's playing partner and the No. 24 player in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. Swanwick carded the lowest round of the day with a four-under 67, climbing from T-25 to fourth place and four shots back. He emphasized the importance of consistency, saying, "Fairways and greens are really valuable out there... had a few putts roll in on back nine which helps." All three Kiwis are vying to surpass the previous best finish by a New Zealander in the Championship: third place, achieved three times.
Laopakdee’s Recent Accomplishments
Ranked No. 31 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, Laopakdee claimed the 2025 Asia-Pacific Amateur title in Dubai with a dramatic sudden-death playoff victory. In the subsequent Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, he secured individual and team gold medals before making his debut on golf’s biggest stages earlier this year.
The Field and the Weekend Ahead
Following the first two rounds, sixty-two players made the 36-hole cut at 13-over-par 155. With windy weather persisting and the competition heating up, Laopakdee remains focused as he aims to secure another major invitational opportunity. The Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship continues through the weekend, promising more dramatic moments ahead.
Source: wjbf.com.
