APGC
Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation Journal
March 2019
Evian spot for WAAP winner Victorious: Atthaya Thitikul.
Contents Evian Championship exemption for WAAP champion
1-2
Master of Amateurs goes to Chinese Taipei’s Chun-An Yu
2
New Rules app in Chinese
3
Former AAC champ Jin Cheng to turn pro
3
Korean hat-trick at Australian Amateur 4 Chairman Kei Muratsu’s message
5
Aussie gets Augusta call-up New R&A golf scholarship programme being
5 6
The Women’s Amateur AsiaPacific champion will now earn a spot in the field of the prestigious Evian Championship after the tournament announced a special exemption.
The Evian Championship joins the AIG Women’s British Open in offering places to the WAAP champion. As well as the two major championships, the winner will also receive an invite to the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
The second edition of the premier women’s amateur golf championship of the Asia-Pacific region will be played at The Royal Golf Club in Japan from April 25-28. Defending champion Atthaya Thitikul, from Thailand, enjoyed a stunning year, finishing as the leading amateur in both the AIG Women’s British Open and the ANA Inspiration. She was also tied for eighth place at the HSBC Women’s World Championship.
The Evian Championship is the fourth of the five majors in women’s golf and will be played from July 25-28 at the picturesque Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains. The Women’s Amateur AsiaPacific championship has been developed by The R&A and Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) to unearth emerging talent and provide a pathway n Continued page 2
Evian spot for WAAP winner n From page 1
for Asia’s elite women amateurs to emerge on the international stage. Announcing the exemption, Franck Riboud, Chairman of The Evian Championship, said: “We are truly honoured to partner with The R&A on this great championship. “The Evian Championship, The R&A and the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation share the same goals and values related to the emergence of young talents. It is with pleasure that we will award this new tournament exemption starting in 2019. “We are convinced that the future of women’s golf is linked to the young talents teeing off at the Women’s Amateur AsiaPacific.” The R&A launched the
‘Women in Golf Charter’ last year and is committed to increasing the participation of women and girls in the sport. The Women’s Amateur AsiaPacific is one of several key championships conducted by the governing body and a significant initiative along with the APGC to drive the popularity of women’s golf in the region. Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, added: “A big part of the success of the inaugural Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific in Singapore last year was the outstanding performance of our 15-year-old champion Atthaya Thitikul, not only in Sentosa but in the other prestigious championships she played as well. “Atthaya can now inspire so many other young players to follow in her footsteps. There
is huge potential for further growth in women’s golf in AsiaPacific and we want to give the leading players the opportunities to showcase their talent.” Kei Muratsu, Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation, said: “Over the last few years, we have seen how dominant women from our region have become. Since October 27, 2014, the world No.1 as per the Rolex Rankings has always been from an Asia-Pacific country. “So far, that has been restricted to countries like Korea, Thailand, New Zealand, China and Japan. We have plenty of talent in the other 37 APGC countries and events like the Women’s Amateur AsiaPacific is the perfect launching pad for them. “We are very thankful to the Evian Championship for extending our champion an
exemption. The fact that two of the five majors have shown this faith in us is a matter of great pride for the APGC and what we are trying to do with women’s golf here.” Invitations to players will be sent out next week. The championship will have a field of 90 players, with a maximum of six players from each of the APGC member countries. In addition, hosts Japan will get two extra spots. Currently, there are 25 players from Asia-Pacific in the World Amateur Golf Ranking Top 100, with Thailand’s Paphangkorn Tavatanakit the highest ranked at No3. Kabaya Ohayo Group and Rolex are the championship’s principal sponsors. IMG will assist with championship staging and TV broadcasting.
Master of Amateurs goes to Chinese Taipei Chinese Taipei’s Chun-An Yu survived a three-hole play-off to defeat Japan’s Keita Nakajima in the Master of the Amateurs at Royal Melbourne.
Nakajima found himself with a one-shot lead over the field after he found the back of the 72nd green with his second shot. But three putts and three playoff holes later, it was Chinese Taipei’s Chun-An Yu who hoisted the trophy. Nakajima successfully fended off all challengers throughout the course of the final round after starting two clear of the field and five ahead of the eventual champion. But it wasn’t enough for the reigning Australian Amateur champion and last year’s low amateur at the Australian Open. Five birdies in his first eight holes thrust Yu up the standings and into calculations. After making birdie at the par-five 12th for the fourth straight day, Yu hit the clubhouse 2 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ March 2019
Close finish: Chun-An Yu from Chinese Taipei won January’s Master of the Amateurs after a three-hole play-off. Photo: Golf Australia
at six-under for the week, still two strokes adrift of a steady Nakajima. The Japanese prodigy had two putts to claim the title from the back of a slippery 18th green but failed to put Yu away. Nakajima faced a similar uphill eight-foot putt to claim the silverware on the first and second play-off holes but missed both, before Yu arrowed a beautiful approach to a few feet.
With the leading duo finishing at six-under for the tournament, Sydney’s Blake Windred held down third on the standings, just one stroke further back. It was an all-Australian showdown in the women’s section, with Sydney’s Steph Kyriacou winning by three shots. The 18-year-old started the day two back of fellow New South Welshwoman and playing
partner Grace Kim, but signed for a brilliant two-under 70 – capped off with a birdie bomb at the last – to finish at two-under for the tournament. With birdies at the second and fifth holes Kyriacou made light work of the overnight deficit, but back-to-back bogeys before making the turn set up a tense final group shootout between the Blues and the third member of the group, Melbourne’s Julienne Soo. Birdies at 10 and 12 helped Kyriacou to a two-shot buffer over Soo coming up the last, before she curled home a 20-footer in front of the Royal Melbourne clubhouse to seal the biggest win of her life. “I was talking to my caddie and he was telling me to stay calm which really helped,” Kyriacou said. “Bogeys always hurt but I was always going to make bogies around Royal Melbourne. I just tried to make pars from there.” - Courtesy Golf Australia
New Chinese rules app The R&A and China Golf Association (CGA) have jointly announced the launch of the 2019 Players Edition of Rules of Golf mobile application in Chinese, a completely redesigned, stand-alone and interactive wtool that allows Chinese golfers to access the modernised rules from all mobile devices.
The new application, available online through app stores on both iOs and Android platforms such as Baidu Mobile Assistant, Tencent Android App Store, Alibaba Android App Store (Wandoujia) and VIVO App Store, offers the freedom to access the 2019 Rules of Golf on-field or off-field for professional golfers and amateurs alike. The R&A and the USGA started the Rules Modernisation Initiative in 2012 with the goal of bringing the Rules up to date to fit the needs of the game today globally. Presented in digital form today, the new Rules, which came into effect on January 1, 2019, have been translated into more than 30 languages and launched via print and digital formats, including new searchable features. For the first time, a new Player’s Edition of the Rules of Golf is being introduced to provide a shorter, more userfriendly version of the Rules for golfers at all levels of the sport.
Very happy: R&A boss Martin Slumbers (left) at the launch of the new Rules of Golf smartphone app in Chinese. Photo: The R&A
This version, which will serve as the primary publication for all golfers, features: n A more intuitive organisation with 10 simplified topical groupings; n A “Purpose of the Rule” description at the top of each Rule, to better define why the Rule exists; n Easy-to-follow, full-colour diagrams and charts; and n A simpler, more direct writing style. The Chinese app is one of the first to publish the 2019 Rules of Golf in its local language in Asia, providing an easy and
fun-to-use resource for Chinese golfers. CGA was responsible for the translation and editing of the Players Edition of the Rules in Chinese. Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive Officer of The R&A, said, “China continues to be an important market for golf. We are delighted to be rolling out the modernised Rules of Golf in digital form today. “This is the biggest set of changes to the Rules in a generation and a major step forward in our efforts to make the Rules, and golf itself, more accessible and more in tune with
the way the modern sport is played.’ Qingfeng Wei, Director of Golf Development at CGA, noted, “In the age and advent of big data and mobile internet, the joint launch of the new Rules App is an important step in keeping with how golfers and fans use the Rules today. “With the ultimate goal of serving the golfing community in China, CGA will continue to work with The R&A in launching the Chinese editions of the complete Rules Book, Players Edition, as well as the Official Guide and its Quick Guide.”
Former AAC champ to turn pro China’s Jin Cheng, winner of the 2015 AsiaPacific Amateur Championship in Hong Kong, is to turn pro.
The 20-year-old from Beijing made it through the recent Asian Tour Q-School and will relinquish his amateur status to play on the tour this year. The decision, though, wasn’t easy, as Jin wrote on Instagram. “Having mixed feelings about my final
decision made today to leave USC and start playing professional golf,” Jin said. “Can’t thank my coaches, teammates, friends, and everyone who’s helped me along the journey enough. “I am beyond grateful for all the precious memories and experiences I’ve had with them in the past two and a half years. Looking forward to my rookie year.” Jin qualified for three of four events for
USC last fall, notching one top-25 finish. He had six combined top-25s in his first two seasons and was T-13 at last spring’s Pac-12 Championship. He shined more outside of college. At age 16, he became the first amateur to win on the PGA Tour China. A year later, he won the Asia-Pacific Amateur to earn a spot in the 2016 Masters, where he missed the cut. March 2019 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ 3
Korean hat-trick at Australian Amateur Yae Eun (Amy) Hong has made it three Korean winners of the women’s Australian Amateur championship in the past four years, dramatically clinching the title at Woodlands Golf Club.
Three-up and playing the 34th hole of a 36-hole final against Japan’s Tsubasa Kajitani, 16-yearold Hong found herself in a difficult spot behind the 16th green. Kajitani, meanwhile, had her ball on the green with a long birdie putt to extend the match. But Hong, yet another graduate of the incredible South Korean golfing factory, sized up the tricky chip, wedged it into the bank, ran it up on to the green and into the cup for a birdie. It was game over, just like that. The 3&2 victory was her first in a national championship and just her third anywhere, after two wins in her native country. Afterward, the teenager from Seoul admitted she had only hoped to get her match-winning chip close to the pin. “I just thought ‘bogey is OK’,” she said. “It was so hard, and it was my first time playing on these tough greens. I just played it and I thought it was very big, but it just went in the hole.” Hong has two years of high school remaining, and came to Australia to play the Amateur and the Master of the Amateurs for the experience. She brought her father Tae-Sik along, and he was on her bag today. A former professional golfer who stopped playing at 19, Tae-Sik Hong was in tears after his daughter’s victory. “I thought, ‘Let’s just play with my Dad’,” said Amy Hong. “But I had good scores, made the win so it’s good for everyone.” Amy Hong wants to turn professional in a few years. Her 4 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ March 2019
Winners: Yae Eun Hong and Conor Purcell with their Australian Amateur championship trophies. Photo: Golf Australia
favourite player, not surprisingly, is the former world No. 1 Sung Hyun Park. “I love her,” she said. “I met her at a tournament and I always go in the gallery. She’s the best.” Ranked 178th in the world before today’s big win, Hong had to work hard for the win against the 15-year-old Kajitani, who has a beautiful rhythm to her swing and who hits it long. The Korean was up for most of the day and then put the hammer down with a gorgeous, low spinning wedge to the par-five 15th hole, rolling in the birdie from three metres. Kajitani had also hit it close there, but when she missed her downhill birdie putt, Hong was three-up. The birdie at the 16th gave her
the exclamation point. In the men’s amateur, Ireland’s Conor Purcell collected the trophy after an epic, nail-biting final against Nathan Barbieri that was decided on the first extra hole. The match had ebbed and flowed with some largely wonderful golf on the pristine Woodlands layout. But as entertaining as the combined 17 birdies of a quality final were, the match really came to life in the final hour when Barbieri fought back from four down with 10 holes to play to force an extra hole. Purcell was politely mobbed by a horde of Irish fans who’d come to watch him play, becoming the country’s first Australian Amateur champion
in the tournament’s storied 125-year history. And as the prize of exemptions into the Australian Open and Vic Open fields – plus the surprise honorary membership later bestowed on him by the host club – became a reality, the humble youngster was still shocked. “The last few holes were a bit edgy, but to cap it off on the playoff hole was nice,” said Purcell, who had his brother Gary on the bag for the final and later had his trophy presentation played live via Facetime to his parents in Dublin. “Credit to Nathan, he made a couple of great shots when he needed to today and it was pretty tense that last few minutes.” – Courtesy Golf Australia
Chairman’s message
APGC Chairman Kei Muratsu I am writing this message in the middle of the final round of AT&T at Pebble Beach – the venue for the US Open this year – while it is snowing outside, downtown Tokyo.
Last month I watched many sporting events including the Australian Open Tennis in Melbourne, Asian Cup Soccer in UAE, Badminton in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia and definitely professional golf tour events in Singapore and Australia, too. Amazing! The sport attracts so many people, both playing and watching globally. In the past 10 years the APGC has enjoyed significant progress and development to bring up many young players in partnership with The R&A and
the Masters Tournament. In particular, female players from our region have shown outstanding performances in both the amateur games and many professional tours as their career afterwards. We should be proud of ourselves to have contributed to such through our excellent championship portfolio. As our championship games of 2019 are about to begin, I want you to take your time and think about the future of the APGC and its roles. The APGC is a cohesive organisation of which each of you are an integral part. Your participation will further develop the organisation. Given the growing economy and people’s increasing interest in sports throughout
the region, we are in a position to be a frontrunner to attract more people to our game. Coinciding with this APGC March issue is the 41st Queen Sirikit Cup at Glenelg Golf Club in Adelaide, our first event in the “Year of the Boar.” We are grateful to Golf Australia and Rae-Vadee and her team of Queen Sirikit Secretarial Office for organising the Tournament. The Masters at Augusta National and the inaugural Women’s Amateur there are approaching. We all wish Takumi Kanaya, Champion of 2018 Asia Pacific Amateur at Sentosa, and the invited women players from APGC Member Associations play well.
Aussie gets Augusta call-up Australia’s Julienne Soo is among the group of women who will make history at Augusta National when the fabled Georgia club hosts its first-ever women’s tournament in April.
Soo, a Melburnian who has spent the past three years studying on a golf scholarship at Oklahoma University, received the invitation today on campus in Oklahoma City. The 21-year-old told Golf Australia’s ‘Inside The Ropes’ podcast that she was “already practising”, she was so excited at the chance. “The official list got announced this morning and I was lucky enough to get on that list,” she said. “I was seriously excited when I got the call. I couldn’t believe it. It’s such an opportunity and I can’t wait to get out there in April.” Sixty-six of the 72 players who will compete in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship have been named, with Soo as the only Australian. There are six remaining spots to be announced. The first 36 holes of the 54-hole tournament are to be played at the nearby Champions Retreat. Then there will be a cut, after which the leading players will compete
at Augusta National, writing their own little bit of history. “It’ll be really cool if I get to actually play Augusta, but just the fact that I get to play the tournament, honestly, it’s awesome.” Growing up in Melbourne, Soo was an avid follower of the Masters. “I’m sure every kid when they were young has always dreamed of going to the Masters. “Me, I would always wake up at these
Excited: Julienne Soo. Photo: Golf Australia
God-early hours just to watch the live coverage in Australia. I’ve always wanted to see the Masters, I’ve always wanted to see Augusta, see what it’s really like, even just inside the ropes. So to even get the chance to play is an honour.” Soo won two state junior titles as a teenager in Melbourne. She is one of the most decorated players in Oklahoma Sooners history. March 2019 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ 5
New R&A scholarship Mission Hills Group in China has announced The R&A will provide funding towards a new golf scholarship programme being set up at the world’s largest golf facility.
The scholarships at Mission Hills will support talented young Chinese golfers by providing financial grants towards their golf training and competition. Tenniel Chu, Vice-Chairman of Mission Hills Group, was joined by Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, for the announcement at Mission Hills Shenzhen in southern China – one of two Mission Hills resorts spanning 40 square kilometres and 22 golf courses. Also present was Edmund Chu, Managing Director of SECA. SECA, China’s fastest-growing sports management company, will partner with Mission Hills to underwrite the new scholarship initiative. The announcement took place after a keynote address by Mr Slumbers to more than 200 delegates at Sports Connects, the China Sports Forum. Tenniel Chu, Mission Hills Group Vice-Chairman, said: “Since my late father founded Mission Hills 25 years ago, my family has been fully committed to growing golf in China. We have invested millions of dollars into youth development and more than 100,000 competitive rounds have been played by junior golfers at Mission Hills.
Photo: The R&A
“This announcement is another exciting chapter in our long relationship with The R&A, dating back to when Mission Hills hosted the first Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in 2009. The R&A’s commitment to growing the game in China has been unwavering throughout.” Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said: “This Golf Scholarship Programme is an important step forward in supporting young people in China, in both golf and personal development. The outcomes of initiatives like this will underpin The R&A’s purpose, to ensure golf is thriving 50 years from now.”
Edmund Chu, Managing Director of SECA, said: “Given our work with several Chinese athletes and China sports events, and our long-term friendship with Mission Hills, SECA is committed to supporting the next generation of sporting talent in China. As the global governing body for golf, The R&A’s endorsement and support of our scholarship programme is significant and will hopefully allow us to unearth the next Feng Shanshan or Li Haotong, and potentially a future Open champion.” Underwritten by Mission Hills and SECA, the Golf Scholarship Programme at Mission Hills will
aim to support talented Chinese golfers aged 18 and under – boys and girls – with financial grants towards their training and competition and potentially their education. The application process and further details on the programme will be announced in the coming weeks with the aim of taking in students from early next year. Later in 2019, the programme will be expanded to support students in other sports, including basketball and football in conjunction with FC Barcelona and the NBA, both of whom announced strategic partnerships with Mission Hills in 2017.
Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation
Chairman Mr Keisuke Muratsu
Vice Chairman Treasurer Mr Taimur Amin Mr Philip Hassall
General Secretary Mr Kyungjae Lee
Mr Mohammed Rae Vadee Faisal Al-Naimi T.Suwan
Nobuko Hirayama
Dato’ Rabeahtul Mr Ishwar Achanta Aloya Abbas
John Hopkins
Zhang Xiaoning
The Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation encourages all member nations to contribute news from their countries for inclusion in the APGC journal. News items can be emailed to editor Robert Grant at rob.grant1948@gmail.com 6 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ March 2019