Muscat – Oman’s Azaan al Rumhy will be making his eighth appearance in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) at the Amata Spring Country Club in Thailand from Thursday to Sunday.

Azaan, Oman’s leading golfer in the World Amateur Golf Rankings will be competing against the region’s top amateur golfers in the event which was created in 2009 as a joint initiative to develop the game by the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation, the Masters Tournament and The R&A.

The winner of the championship will get a dream invitation to play in two of the four ‘major’ Championships, the Masters Tournament and The Open.

Over the years, the championship has served as a springboard to some of the world’s top players. AAC participants have gone on to win 23 PGA Tour tournaments, highlighted by Hideki Matsuyama winning the 2021 Masters and Cameron Smith winning The Open Championship this year.

“I am looking forward to competing in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship once again,” said Azaan.

“Amata Springs is a course that I have been fortunate to play in the past and it will be a test for the players. My goal is to play well and to make the cut. I have been working hard to prepare for the event and thoroughly enjoyed the AAC Academy program in Dubai in September.

“I am hoping to have my best AAC and improve my amateur ranking. I must thank Augusta National, The R&A, and the Asia Pacific Golf Federation for giving us this fantastic opportunity,” said Azaan.

Meanwhile, Oman’s junior players Adam Al Barwani and Avi Hamlai will also travel to Thailand for the 88th SINGHA Thailand Junior World Golf Championships at Royal Hua Hin Golf Course.

Adam is in good form having just returned from the Pan Arab Golf Championships in Tunisia where he finished fourth and led the Oman Under-15 team to a fourth-place finish.

Mundhir Al Barwani, Chairman of the Oman Golf Association, said: “We wish Azaan, Adam, and Avi all the best for their upcoming trips to Thailand. For Azaan to be competing in his eighth Asia Pacific Amateur Championship is a great achievement, we know that the standard in this event is extremely high, so it is an opportunity for Azaan to measure himself against the best in the wider Asia-Pacific region.

“For Adam and Avi the Thai Junior Championships will serve as a fantastic platform to develop their abilities and allow them to experience competing on a bigger stage. They have both been very active in our domestic GOjuniors Tour events, which I am sure will serve them well. We must thank the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth for their ongoing support and also our partners and sponsors; Oman LNG, Sohar Aluminium, Moore Stephens, and Shell for allowing us to continue to develop junior golf in the Sultanate.”