Dubai(News Desk):: Dubai is gearing up for one of the world’s most prestigious amateur golf tournaments, with 120 of the best talents in the Asia-Pacific region set to compete in the 16th edition of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship. The tournament, hosted at the iconic Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club, kicks off tomorrow amidst an exciting atmosphere as participants look to secure a berth in the 2026 Masters and secure a place in the 154th edition of The Open.

The tournament, jointly organised by Augusta National Golf Club, The R&A Foundation and the Asia Pacific Golf Federation, will run over four days from October 23 to 26, with some of the region’s most promising young talents competing on one of the Middle East’s most prestigious golf courses for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in two of the world’s most prestigious tournaments.

Heading the field is Thailand’s Viva Laupakdi, ranked 56th in the world in the amateur rankings, who enters the tournament at the peak of his game after a string of impressive results, including a sixth-place finish at the Sahali Players Championship, as well as wins at the Papago Individual and Thunderbird Invitational. He has not failed to make the cut in his three previous appearances at the tournament.

Thailand’s Ratchanon “TK” Chantananuwat, ranked No. 106 in the world, is also making his second appearance in the tournament, following his impressive performance in his home country’s 2022 tournament, during which he was forced to withdraw from the top spot due to a neck injury. The 19-year-old Stanford University player is the youngest winner in history of an Official World Golf Ranking event, having won the 2022 Trust Golf Asia Mix Cup on the Asian Tour at the age of just 15 years and 37 days.

From Hong Kong, world No. 109 Jeffrey Chen is in peak condition following a string of impressive results. He has finished in the top three in four consecutive tournaments since last July, including a runner-up finish at the Singapore Amateur Open and a domestic professional tournament win in China. His compatriot Taixi Khoo had a remarkable performance at the last edition, hosted by Dubai in 2021, when he finished second in a playoff, an achievement that paved the way for him to win an Asian Tour title and a gold medal at the Asian Games.

Australia’s Harry Takis, ranked No. 117 in the world, enters the tournament with strong momentum after winning the Singapore Open by 11 strokes last July, demonstrating his ability to thrive in hot conditions. The 21-year-old University of San Diego student also strengthened his competitive edge after finishing runner-up at the Sahali Players Championship, making him one of the top favorites this week.

China’s Zi Chen Zhou, last year’s runner-up and ranked No. 125 in the world, returns to the competition this year with a defiant spirit, having missed out on the title by just one shot despite posting the tournament’s lowest score (65) in the third round. China is the most successful nation in the tournament, having won the title five times, and the 19-year-old UC Berkeley graduate is looking to add to that impressive record.

Emirati golf star Ahmed Skaik is looking to capitalize on his extensive experience on the Majlis Course when he makes his sixth appearance in the tournament. Skaik had an exceptional 2025 season, setting a new GCC Golf Championship record with a total of 18 under par, 15 strokes ahead of his nearest competitor. He also became the first Emirati player in history to pass the cut in a European Tour-sanctioned tournament.

Skaik is leading the largest Emirati delegation in the tournament’s history, including his brother Mohammed Skaik, along with Rayan Ahmed, Rashid Al Emadi, Sam Mullan, and Jonathan Selvaraj. This is the UAE’s largest participation since the tournament’s inception.

While familiarity with the course may give local players a slight advantage, all participants will face a real test in navigating the Majlis’ challenging course layout, particularly the par-4 ninth hole, which is considered one of the most challenging in the region.

The ninth hole, measuring 488 yards, has been the toughest hole in the Dubai Desert Classic for the past five years. Water runs along the left side, while thick grass and sand bunkers await those who veer right. Over the past five years, players have shot 168 doubles and only 156 birdies.

“The ninth hole is one of the best par-4s we’ve played all season, and if you can finish it with four shots every round, you’ve done really well,” said Masters champion and four-time Dubai Desert Classic champion Rory McIlroy.

Dubai-based FedEx Cup champion Tommy Fleetwood added: “The ninth hole is probably the toughest on the Majlis Course. If you can get through the fifth to the ninth safely, you have a good last nine that gives you a good chance to finish strong.”

The 549-yard par-5 10th hole is an immediate redemption opportunity, as it has been considered the easiest hole at the Dubai Desert Classic in recent years, having been parred 52 times and only 21 times doubles.

The course’s final course features two crucial holes that often determine the champion’s identity: the 359-yard par-4 17th, which can be reached in one shot, and the par-5 18th, which requires a high degree of decision-making due to the presence of water in front of the green.

The winner of the tournament will receive an official invitation to participate in the 2026 Masters Tournament and a direct exemption from the qualifying rounds for the 154th Open, while the runners-up will receive an exemption from the qualifying rounds for The Open Series, and the top three will receive invitations to participate in the 131st Amateur Championship.

Since its inception in 2009, the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship has been a launching pad for many international golf stars, including Hideki Matsuyama (champion in 2010 and 2011), as well as a number of prominent Asian Tour players who have gone on to achieve remarkable success in the professional world.

With some of the world’s best players, a uniquely strategic course, and the opportunity to qualify for the Masters and The Open, the atmosphere is set for four days of exciting competition at Emirates Golf Club in Dubai.