Australia’s David Micheluzzi is targeting the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) later this month in Shanghai to return to the winner’s circle. The region’s most prestigious amateur event tees off at Sheshan International Golf Club on September 26-29.
The second-highest ranked player in the field at No. 4 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), Micheluzzi is one of the most consistent performers on the international amateur scene but hasn’t clinched a win since the Australian Master of the Amateurs in January 2018. The strength of the 23-year-old’s game was on display in June with a brilliant result at The Amateur Championship in Ireland, where he fell to eventual champion James Sugrue in the semi-finals.
“I can’t wait. The Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship is a massive event for the Asia Pacific region and very special to us players. And what a great venue in Sheshan International Golf Club to have this championship at,” said Micheluzzi, popularly known as ‘Micha’.
Micheluzzi also starred on debut at the 2018 AAC in Singapore, where he led after a sensational 64 on the opening day and eventually finished T30.
“It definitely is ‘unfinished business.’ I got a taste of the lead for a bit in the championship, but my last 25 holes weren’t my finest. However, I’ve learned what to do in those situations and hopefully, can get the job done this year,” noted the Melbourne resident, who attends the world-famous Victoria Institute of Sport.
“I haven’t won since the start of 2018, which has been frustrating because I’ve had a lot of close finishes. The way I look at it, I just have to keep putting myself in contention and have the least amount of shots at the end of the day,” added Micheluzzi.
“If I can do that and win the AAC title, it would mean a lot to have that on my resume and get an opportunity to play in majors that I have grown up watching. To be able to do that as an amateur would be an experience of a lifetime and the best way to learn to develop your game.”
The AAC champion earns an invitation to the 2020 Masters at Augusta National and a place in The 149th Open at Royal St George’s. The runner(s)-up will secure a position in The Open Qualifying Series.
The AAC was created in 2009 by the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), the Masters Tournament and The R&A. A field of 120 players from 39 Asia Pacific nations is expected to compete in the championship, which returns to China for the third time.
Leading this year’s field is defending champion and current WAGR No. 2, Takumi Kanaya of Japan. The home challenge will be spearheaded by 19-year-old Lin Yuxin of Beijing, who is hoping to become only the second player after Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama to win multiple AAC titles. Lin won the 2017 AAC at Royal Wellington in New Zealand.
Malaysia will be represented by Ervin Chang, Malcolm Ting, Adam Arif Madzri and Rhaasrikanesh Kanavathi.
Entry to the 2019 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship is free of charge. For more information, visit www.AACgolf.com.
