KUCHING: Malaysia’s leading amateur golfer, Anson Yeo, is hoping his fifth straight appearance at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) will be the one that finally delivers a historic breakthrough.
The 20-year-old Sarawakian will lead a five-man Malaysian challenge at the 17th edition of the prestigious Championship at Te Arai Links’ South Course in New Zealand from October 29 to November 1.
Yeo’s best result at the AAC came last year when he finished tied for 21st, and he believes the experience of four previous appearances could work in his favour this time.
“I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve heard a lot of good things about Te Arai Links and it will be a good test,” said Yeo.
“Being able to compete for the fifth time is something I’m very proud of. You play against the best amateurs from Asia-Pacific, and the standard is extremely high.
“It’s a prestigious event and you get to play in the Masters and The Open if you win it. For a Malaysian to win the AAC, I think it is possible and I hope I am the first one to do it this year.”
Yeo will be joined by Loyola Marymount University’s junior, Nateesh Ganesh, who returns to the Championship after a three-year absence.
The 21-year-old heads into the event with renewed confidence after winning the UC San Diego Invitational, an NCAA Division I tournament at Torrey Pines in March, while also recording five other top-10 finishes during his collegiate career.
“I’m grateful and super pumped for this opportunity. It’s one of the best amateur events out there,” said Nateesh, who previously competed in the AAC in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Hariz Hezri will make his third appearance, while Afham Othman and Aiden Kei will make their debuts.
Aiden also arrives with promising form, having recorded two wins that count towards the World Amateur Golf Ranking, including a domestic professional event in April where he defeated Asian Tour winners Gavin Green and Ben Leong.
The AAC, launched in 2009 by the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation, The R&A and the Masters Tournament, is regarded as one of the region’s premier amateur events.
The champion will earn an invitation to the 2027 Masters Tournament and an exemption into the 155th Open.
Malaysia’s best results at the Championship remain seventh-place finishes by Mohd Iszaimi Ismail in 2009 and Ervin Chang in 2018, with Marcus Lim also finishing joint-seventh in 2023.
A total of 117 players from 40 APGC member organisations have been confirmed for the 120-player field, including eight golfers ranked inside the world’s top 60 amateurs.
