By Matt Smith
Rashid Al Emadi will be flying the flag for the UAE from October 27-30 in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC), the premier amateur tournament in the region, when play begins at Amata Springs Golf Club in Thailand from Thursday.
Al Emadi has been preparing on and off the course ahead of the famous competition, with former champions including twice-champion Hideki Matsuyama and his fellow Japanese golfer Keita Nakajime, who won in Dubai last year.
In addition to his regular gym sessions at Dubai Creek with Golf Performance Coach Matthew Brookes, Al Emadi attended the AAC Academy hosted by Peter Cowen Head Professional Stephen Deane. This will be Al Emadi’s second time competing in the AAC after making his first appearance last year at the Emirates Golf Federation-hosted event at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.
“I feel like my game is in a really good spot right now”, said Al Emadi. “I have my own personal goals for this tournament but more importantly, I am here to represent the UAE and the Emirates Golf Federation. I know that I am playing against some of the best players in the Asia-Pacific and that is an honour. I will keep my head down, take it shot by shot, hole by hole, and rely on my training”.
The AAC, which is one of the five ‘Elite’ events on the World Amateur Golf Ranking, is organised by The Masters and the R&A in association with the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation.
The 2022 event will have a full field of 120 amateurs from 39 countries and territories who will compete for the title, which provides an invitation to the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club and a place in The 151st Open, provided the champion retains his amateur status. The runners-up will earn a spot in the Final Qualifying for The Open.
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