Open entry beckons in Wellington
Direct entry to both the British Open and US Masters will be handed out at Royal Wellington Golf Club in October.
New Zealand Golf confirmed that for the first time, the winner of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) from October 26-29 will receive direct entry to two of the world’s premier tournaments.
Previously the winner received an exemption into final qualifying for The Open, but the Royal and Ancient Golf Club upgraded that to direct entry to the 2018 tournament, to be held at Carnoustie.
Last year’s winner in South Korea, Australian Curtis Luck, will tee up at the Masters at Augusta National in April.
New Zealand will host the AAC for the first time since it began in 2009, with Royal Wellington handed the honour and 10 potential spots open to the country’s top amateurs to chase the big prize and try to improve on Luke Toomey’s impressive third placing in Incheon last October.
The tournament now becomes one of four elite amateur events, alongside The Amateur Championship, the European Amateur Championship and the US Amateur Championship, to offer amateur golfers the opportunity to qualify for The Open.
New Zealand Golf chief executive Dean Murphy was delighted to hear the news that will give the tournament a further boost.
‘‘This is wonderful news and I’m sure all young New Zealand amateur players are today feeling inspired and motivated,’’ said Murphy.
‘‘The Open is a truly iconic sporting event contested through history by the game’s greatest players so it is a great honour that the Asia-Pacific Amateur Champion will now take their place in this field in addition to the field at the Masters. This demonstrates the real significance of the AsiaPacific Amateur Championship and the opportunities on offer for the players who will compete at Royal Wellington later this year.’’
Royal Wellington club captain Andrew Harcourt said the club was delighted as they build up to the big event in October, with a further course visit scheduled by representatives from The Masters next month.
Since 2009, the AAC has been conducted in partnership between the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), the Masters Tournament and The R&A.
Initially designed to grow and develop golf in the Asia-Pacific region, the championship has now evolved to feature 120 of the region’s leading amateur golfers, according to the world rankings, from 40 APGC affiliated organisations each year.
Notable winners of the AAC include 2010 and 2011 champion Hideki Matsuyama, who has since won three times on the PGA Tour, and current champion Luck, who also won the US Amateur and the Western Australian Open in 2016.
Dominic Wall, director AsiaPacific at The R&A, added: ’’The R&A is committed to developing and enhancing the status of amateur golf throughout Asia-Pacific. The exemption for the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship will provide a fantastic opportunity for talented amateur golfers from this part of the world to qualify for The Open.’’