Dubai and the UAE's esteemed golfing heritage has been further solidified with the declaration that the 16th Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship will be held at the Emirates Golf Club's renowned Majlis Course in Dubai, UAE, from October 23rd to 26th, 2025.
This announcement was jointly made by the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), the Masters Tournament, and The R&A. This marks the second time the championship will be hosted in Dubai, following its inaugural regional event in 2021, but the first time Emirates Golf Club will act as the host venue. The tournament showcases top male amateurs from the Asia-Pacific region, representing 43 affiliated APGC organizations. The 2025 champion will secure an invitation to compete in the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, along with an exemption into The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale. The runners-up will also gain entry into Final Qualifying for The Open.
"We take great pride in our history of hosting the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at world-class venues, and we're thrilled to uphold that tradition by bringing the 2025 edition to Emirates Golf Club's Majlis Course," stated Taimur Hassan Amin, Chairman of the APGC, on behalf of the Founding Partners.
"Dubai and the UAE boast a rich golfing history, including the 2021 Asia-Pacific Amateur, won by Keita Nakajima. We eagerly anticipate welcoming some of the world's finest amateurs back next year." Nakajima, a professional on the DP World Tour, currently ranks 40th in the Race to Dubai standings. He clinched the 2024 HERO Indian Open and finished fourth in the 2024 Ras Al Khaimah Championship at Al Hamra Golf Club.
"We've witnessed remarkable growth in golf and numerous prestigious tournaments in the UAE over the years, and we're excited for the 2025 Asia-Pacific Amateur to further this legacy," Amin added.
Notable past participants include Hideki Matsuyama, a two-time Asia-Pacific Amateur champion and the 2021 Masters winner, and Cameron Smith, the 2022 Open champion. Other prominent players who have launched successful professional careers after competing in the Asia-Pacific Amateur include Australia's Cameron Davis and Min Woo Lee, Chinese Taipei's C.T. Pan, South Korea's Si-Woo Kim and Kyoung-Hoon Lee, Japan's Takumi Kanaya and Keita Nakajima, and New Zealand's Ryan Fox. Collectively, alumni of the Championship have won 27 tournaments on the PGA Tour and over 130 events on major professional tours worldwide.
"It will be a privilege to gather such talent from across the Asia-Pacific region at Emirates Golf Club in 2025," remarked General Abdullah Al Hashmi, Vice-Chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation.
Chris May, CEO of Dubai Golf, commented, "It's fantastic to be here in Tokyo for the AAC. This is a significant tournament and a must-attend event for golf officials in the region. It's been a pleasure to meet representatives from The Masters, The R&A, the APGC, the Asian Tour, and various Golf Federations."
"We are excited to host the 2025 AAC and look forward to welcoming players, officials, and guests to Emirates Golf Club and Dubai," May added. "We wish everyone the best this week and look forward to seeing a worthy champion who will earn invitations to The Masters and The Open in 2025."
Australia's Lucas Herbert, an alum of the Asia-Pacific Amateur, made history by winning the Dubai Desert Classic in 2020, five years after his final appearance at the championship.
