UAE golfer Rayan Ahmed has made headlines by successfully making the cut at the prestigious 15th Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) held at the scenic Taiheiyo Club in Gotemba, Japan. Despite facing relentless rain, the 17-year-old showcased remarkable resilience, finishing the second round with a score of two-over-par 72, bringing his total to six over 146.
Key Takeaways
- Rayan Ahmed made the cut at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Japan.
- He finished the second round with a score of 72, totaling 146.
- The cut line was set at 148, allowing 63 players to advance.
- Ahmed expressed his surprise at the heavy rainfall during the tournament.
- He is the third UAE player to make the cut in this prestigious event.
Rayan’s Journey Through Adverse Conditions
Rayan Ahmed opened the tournament with a round of 74, but it was his determination in the second round that secured his place in the next phase. The cut fell at 148, and Ahmed’s performance was commendable given the challenging weather conditions.
"It looks like I will have to play 30 holes on Sunday – that will be a first for me," Ahmed remarked. He admitted that he had not played much in the rain before, making this week a unique experience for him.
"I have never seen so much rain in my life, but I was happy to make the cut. I just hope we have some kinder weather," he added.
A Day in the Life of a Golfer
Reflecting on his day, Ahmed shared, "It was another 4 am alarm call today. After completing my final three holes, I returned to the hotel and came back to the golf course for my third-round tee time. I am excited about what is ahead of me tomorrow – I feel comfortable playing in this company and will give it my best."
Tournament Highlights
Leading the tournament after two rounds is Japan’s Rintaro Nakano, who is currently at seven under par. He is closely followed by Indonesia’s Randy Bintang and China’s Wenyi Ding, the highest-ranked player in the Men’s World Amateur Golf Rankings at number four.
The third round commenced at 2 pm, with only four holes being played by the leaders. The completion of the third round and the final round is scheduled for tomorrow, with play starting at 6:30 am.
UAE’s Representation in the Championship
Rayan Ahmed is the third UAE player to make the cut in the AAC, following in the footsteps of Dubai-born Rayhan Thomas, who finished as runner-up in 2018, and Ahmad Skaik, who participated in 2021 when the event was hosted at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.
This year, representatives from several Middle Eastern countries, including Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, are competing in the tournament.
The AAC is recognized as the leading amateur golf tournament in the Asia region, first played in 2009. A total of 43 countries have been invited to participate, supported by the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), Augusta National, and The R&A.
For more information and to watch the event live, visit the official AAC website.