golf.co.nz news article
Last updated, August 1, 2018
Six New Zealand players have been confirmed to compete at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) to be played at Sentosa Golf Club, Singapore in October.
Acting as one of the globes biggest amateur events, this strong contingent of Kiwis will all have a chance of securing a place at both the 2019 Masters Tournament and The 148th Open Championship if they were to win the 72-hole individual stroke play event.
New Zealand Squad in order of World Amateur Golf Rankings: Daniel Hillier (23), Denzel Ieremia (205), Luke Brown (272), Matthew Mclean (398), Charlie Hillier (411) and Kerry Mountcastle (431).
Led by Daniel Hillier who will play in his third AAC, this will become his major focus after competing in the World Amateur Team Championship in Ireland next month. He has now risen to world number 23 and will be aiming to prove how he got there against Asia’s best.
“It’s already been a huge year for me, I feel like my game is moving in the right direction and hopefully I can time it well and do more than just compete after playing in a few Asia-Pacific Championships,” said Hillier.
After narrowly missing out on playing in the 2017 event held at Royal Wellington Golf Club, Canterbury’s Matt Mclean is the only debutant at this prestigious championship.
With Mclean being the only new face, it will fill golf fans around New Zealand with a large amount of confidence with the other five players already experiencing the scale of this championship.
To be played from 4 – 7 October 2018, the championship will be televised all over the world where all eyes have the chance to witness what the Asia-Pacific region has to offer and if one of these young amateurs can secure their place at two of the world’s biggest championships.
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About the Asia-Pacific Amateur:
The champion earns an invitation to the 2019 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club as well as The 148th Open at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. The field will feature more than 100 amateurs from 41 countries who will compete over 72 holes of stroke play.
The AAC was founded in 2009 by the Masters Tournament, The R&A and the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation to develop the game throughout the region and has established itself as one of the most elite international amateur golf tournaments in the world.
