Sun Devil junior Fifa Laopakdee will be playing in the British Open and the Masters in 2026 after rallying from a six-shot deficit (4-under 68) to win the third playoff hole at the Asia-Pacific Amateur, while his Sun Devil teammates will be on Golf Channel this week at the East Lake Cup in Georgia.
Laopakdee is the first player from Thailand to win the championship that began in 2010. He will also be the first Thai amateur to compete at the Masters. He notched birdie on five holes across the back nine — including the 17th and 18th — to force the playoff and ultimately delivered five straight birdies to close out the victory. He also is the second straight Sun Devil to win the event, as Wenyi Ding won the 2024 title.
Fifa Laopakdee told his coach he’d win the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship and play the Masters Tournament.
He did it. pic.twitter.com/i9mwFyR2tY
— Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (@AAC_Golf) October 26, 2025
About Fifa at ASU
Laopakdee won ASU’s 2025 Thunderbird Collegiate with a 12-under 201 (66-67-68) and tied for the top spot at the 14-team Cabo Collegiate last March that had seven top-25 teams. He also tied for first at the 2024 Papago Individual tournament with an 8-under 205 and won his first collegiate tournament at the 2023 Maui Jim Intercollegiate.
“I think all the Thai fans have been waiting such a long time for a Thai amateur or Thai pro to go compete at the Masters and The Open,” noted Laopakdee. “This victory, I feel like it’s probably gained so many Thai fans. Amazing for me, my parents, Thai fans and for my country.”
About the East Lake Cup
The East Lake Cup is a four-team tournament that takes place each fall, with teams playing one round of stroke play (Monday, Oct. 27) and moving to team match play on Tuesday and Wednesday. Sun Devil Preston Summerhays tied for individual medalist honors in 2021. Michael Mjaaseth, Connor Williams, Boston Bracken, Bowen Mauss and Peer Wernicke will make up the Sun Devil lineup. Florida, Ole Miss and Virginia complete the field.
