Hideki Matsuyama after his historic win at the Masters
The pandemic might have halted the sport across Asia, but it wasn’t quite able to halt the success of the players with Asian heritage. These players helped us realise what a force they have always been but it all came to fruition in 2021 as a whole.
Taimur Hassan, Chairman, Asia Pacific Golf Confederation
As Taimur Hassan, Chairman, Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, pointed out in his recent webinar on upcoming Asia Pacific Men’s & Women’s events, “As a two-time winner of the Asian Amateur Championship, Hideki Matsuyama’s victory at The Masters at Augusta National in April 2021 was an especially proud moment, not just for me but for all my predecessors as Chairman of the APGC, and all those who have been part of the Confederation’s journey.
“Gratitude and thanks also go to The R&A and Augusta National for their vision and support, without which these opportunities for the players would not be available.”
Soon after Hideki’s win at The Masters, Collin Morikawa followed it with a win at the Open Championship, not to forget Aditi Ashok’s solo-fourth at the Tokyo Olympics. The list could go on, but the one’s to remember are:
- Women’s major titles for Yuka Saso of Philippines and Patty Tavatanakit of Thailand
- Men’s World Amateur Golf Ranking number one by Keita Nakajima of Japan
- Tsubasa Kajitani of Japan winning the Australia NZ Women’s Amateur
- Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand ranked #1 on the Ladies European Tour.
These players have paved a way and given inspiration for all the junior golfers in Asia, who have lost some precious time due to the COVID-19 lockdowns across countries.
With the recent announcement of Saudi Golf and Asian Tour’s $200 million partnership, 2021 might go down as one of the most significant in the history of golf in Asia.
Credits:-
Photo – Golfweek