Wenyi Ding Wins Asia Pacific Amateur Championship
China’s Wenyi Ding claimed victory at the 2024 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship on Sunday, shooting his fourth consecutive 67 to finish at 12-under-par at the par-70 Taiheiyo Club Gotemba. Ding edged fellow countryman Ziqin Zhou by one stroke, with the field battling rainy conditions in the foothills of Mount Fuji throughout the week. His win marks the fifth victory for a Chinese player in the Championship’s 15-year history, the most by any country.
“It feels really good,” Ding said. “Last year I lost in a playoff and felt I couldn’t have played any better. This year, I got the trophy—it’s amazing.” Reflecting on his strategy, Ding added, “Before I played No. 17, I just wanted to save par, but I felt nervous on the birdie putt at 18. It went three or four feet by, but thankfully, I was able to hole it.”
Ding, ranked No. 5 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, narrowly missed winning last year’s Championship after losing in a playoff at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club. This time, the 19-year-old secured victory with clutch birdies on the third and ninth holes, taking a three-shot lead at the turn over Zhou, an 18-year-old member of the University of California – Berkeley men’s golf team.
Zhou put up a strong fight, birdieing the par-5 18th to briefly tie Ding. However, Ding’s birdie at the par-3 17th, a 239-yard shot that landed within six feet, proved decisive. After finding a bunker on the 18th, Ding laid up to 140 yards, hit the green, and two-putted to secure the Championship with a final four-foot comeback putt.
In his victory speech, Ding paid tribute to Haotong Li, a Chinese golfer he admires. “It’s Haotong Li who I look up to,” Ding said. “He’s a great player and role model. I don’t believe Chinese players are limited—we can achieve anything.”
Zhou, who closed with a third-round 65 to take the lead, was gracious in defeat. “I’m happy with my performance all week. I didn’t make any big mistakes, just a few bogeys. I’m very happy for Wenyi. The trophy is back with Team China.”
Sunday’s final round saw a delayed start after fog caused a six-and-a-half-hour delay during the third round on Friday. Ding and Zhou began the final round tied at nine-under, two shots clear of Japan’s Rintaro Nakano and Korea’s Seonghyeon An. Nakano made a charge with three birdies at the turn, narrowly missing an eagle at the 15th to pull within two shots of the lead. Meanwhile, fellow Japanese golfer Reo Maruo made a late run with five back-nine birdies, setting the clubhouse lead at nine-under after just missing an eagle putt at the last.
In addition to lifting the AAC trophy, Ding’s victory secures him exemptions to the Masters Tournament, The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, and The 130th Amateur Championship at Royal St George’s.
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Five Arab golfers made the cut, including the UAE’s Rayan Ahmed, Saudi Arabia’s Ali Alsakha and Khalid Attieh, Jordanian Mousa Shana’ah, and Qatar’s Saleh Alkaabi. The highest finisher among them was Saudi Arabia’s Khalid Attieh, who tied for 44th.
