Harry Takis 4th in Dubai as Thailand’s Laopakdee creates history
Harry Takis in action on day 4 – image APAC
Australia’s Harry Takis has finished in 4th place at the Asia Pacific Amateur Championship in Dubai, a stunning final hole eagle after his short iron approach to 3 feet, allowing him to finish three shots from the playoff after his final round of 70.
Takis will rue the quadruple bogey 8 he recorded early in his second round of 73, given how close he came to winning the coveted title and the benefits that were to come with it, including a start at the Masters and the Open Championship in 2026.
The 20-year-old’s powerful finish, however, was testament to the progress he has made in his game since attending San Diego State University in California, and comes on top of being part of the Australian team’s runner-up finish at the recent Eisenhower Trophy in Singapore.
Tournament winner Fifa Laopakdee – image APAC
The winner of the event was Thailand’s Fifa Laopakdee, who came from six shots off the 54-hole pace set by Japan’s Taisei Nagasaki to join the 16-year-old in a playoff and win at the third extra hole.
It was the first win by a golfer from Thailand in the 16-year history of the event, and the 20-year-old now gets a start at the Masters and Open Championship in 2026 in addition to claiming one of the amateur game’s most significant titles.
Takis’ fellow Queenslander, Billy Dowling, finished as the next best of the Australians when he shared 5th place, but he too will have mixed emotions about an otherwise impressive week, given he bogeyed the par 5 last after moving within two of the lead with a birdie at the 17th. The three-shot swing between he and Takis at the last proved costly for the 20-year-old Gold Coaster.
NSW golfer, Declan O’Donovan stormed home with a round of the week 65 to finish 11th after a slow start to the week, adding to his fine runner-up finish in the Individual standings at the recent Eisenhower Trophy.
Cooper Moore finished as the leading New Zealander when he tied for 17th after contending early in the week.
