Hong Kong Golfers Ready to Shine at the 15th Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship

The 15th Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship is on the brink of commencing. Hong Kong will witness six players competing, with Alexander Yang and Jeffrey Shen striving to exceed their previous performances.

Scheduled from October 3rd to 6th in Gotemba, Japan, the championship will unfold at the Taiheiyo Club in Gotemba. Representing Hong Kong, China, are six players: Alexander Yang, Jeffrey Shen, Issac Lee, Lander Lee, Luke Brandler, and Xingzhi Lin.

At 21 years old, Alexander Yang is set to participate in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship for the fourth time. He has previously achieved two top-15 finishes in the tournament. Notably, in 2021 in Dubai, he impressed with a first-round score of 67, placing him among the top seven leaders. In 2023, he made history by qualifying for the U.S. Open, becoming the first Hong Kong player to participate in a major championship. This year, he secured a joint fourth place in the World University Golf Championships held in Finland.

Alexander Yang remarked during the practice round that the course features narrow fairways and thick rough, emphasizing the need for accurate shots. He noted differences in fairway lengths compared to Hong Kong courses, indicating more frequent use of the driver. Alexander Yang expressed his fondness for the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship due to its enjoyable nature, beautiful course selection, great food, and the camaraderie within the Hong Kong team. He aims to deliver an outstanding performance this week in such a positive atmosphere.

Jeffrey Shen, also 21 years old, is participating in the championship for the second time. Having debuted last year at Royal Melbourne and finishing 24th, he arrives in 2024 in good form after winning the Hong Kong Close & Mid Amateur Championship and two local tour events. He also secured the runner-up position in the Thailand Amateur Open. Jeffrey Shen emphasized the importance of tee shots on the current course, highlighting the significance of hitting good tee shots for an easier game. He intends to focus on every shot, play his game well, and strive for an improved performance compared to last year.

Issac Lee, Lander Lee, Luke Brandler, and Xingzhi Lin are all making their first appearances in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship.

Issac Lee, was the runner-up in the 2024 Hong Kong Amateur Golf Championship, expressed appreciation for the well-organized event and the quality of the course. He emphasized the importance of playing strategically and avoiding overly aggressive plays, considering he is currently studying in high school. He is eager to give his best effort to achieve a favorable outcome.

Luke Brandler, a 17-year-old newcomer in the Asia-Pacific amateur circuit, has shown promise with wins and high finishes in various competitions in 2024. Excited about this week's championship, he expressed surprise and excitement at qualifying for this special event. Having moved to the U.S. at 14 for high school and with an acceptance offer from Princeton University, Luke Brandler acknowledged the challenges of the current course and aims to adjust his game accordingly for better adaptation.

Issac Lee, 18 years old, successfully defended his title at the 2024 Hong Kong Amateur Open Championship. In his championship debut this week, Issac Lee acknowledged the need for improvements in his tee shots following the practice round. He plans to focus on refining his putting skills to adapt better to the greens, aiming for an improved performance during the competition.

Xingzhi Lin, also 18 years old, recently started attending the University of California, Irvine. Participating in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship for the first time, he expressed excitement about this significant tournament. Following the practice round, he found the course challenging but believes that good ball striking will simplify the game. He highlighted the importance of tee shots and the crucial role of distance control on the fast greens during the competition.

Established in 2009 by the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), R&A, and the Masters Tournament, the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship aims to foster the development of amateur golf in the region. The champion of this year's event will earn a spot in the 2025 Masters Tournament and the 153rd Open Championship while maintaining amateur status. The runner-up will secure a spot in the final qualifying for the Open Championship.