Winner earns spots at both majors; runner-up advances to The Open final qualifying

Kim Min-su (left) and Son Jay, who will compete in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship. [Provided by the tournament organizing committee]
Kim Min-su (left) and Son Jay, who will compete in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship. [Provided by the tournament organizing committee]

South Korean amateur golfers Kim Min-su, 18, and Son Jay, 16, have declared their ambitions to win the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship and earn starts at major tournaments.

The 17th AAC runs Oct. 29 through Nov. 1 at Te Arai Links South Course in New Zealand. South Korea will be represented by five players: Kim, Son and fellow amateurs Jeon Ji-yul, Park Si-woo and Yoo Min-hyeok.

Founded in 2009, the AAC is co-hosted by the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, the Masters Tournament and The R&A. The winner receives invitations to the 2027 Masters Tournament and the 155th Open Championship, to be held at St Andrews Old Course. The runner-up advances to The Open final qualifying, and the top three finishers earn entry into the 132nd Amateur Championship.

Kim, who tied for seventh at last year's AAC, is making his second appearance at the event. He won the Japan Amateur Championship this year. "I have spent a lot of time on my short game after watching overseas players," Kim said. "Since this is my last year as an amateur, my goals are to break into the top 100 in the world amateur rankings and win the AAC."

Son, who won the Korea Amateur Championship this year, will make his AAC debut. "My experience in overseas tournaments has given me a lot of confidence," he said. "My goal is to win and get to the Masters and The Open."


yjc@heraldcorp.com