NEW DELHI: Thirteen-year-old Kartik Singh from India has made history by becoming the youngest player to make the cut at the prestigious Asia-Pacific Amateur Championships. While Singh's hopes of securing a historic win were dashed after a challenging round, his remarkable achievement stands as a testament to his budding prowess.
Kartik Singh commenced the tournament with an opening round of seven-over-par 78 and followed it up with a 72 at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club's demanding course. At just 13 years, nine months, and 22 days old, Singh's feat surpasses the record set by China's Guan Tianlang, who achieved a similar milestone at the age of 14 in 2012.
Guan Tianlang, whose early success included a victory and making the cut at the 2013 Masters, became the youngest player in PGA Tour history to do so. The annual Asia-Pacific championship, where Singh showcased his talent, offers the winner coveted invitations to both the Augusta National Golf Club and the Open Championship.
However, Singh's dream of following in Guan's footsteps was interrupted by an 81 in his third round, leaving him 21 shots behind China's Zheng Sampson-Yunhe. Zheng's remarkable performance included a 65 on Saturday, giving him a four-stroke lead heading into the final day of the tournament.
Singh, who began playing golf at the age of six, shared his experience, stating, "I came to the tournament with no expectations. I had heard so much about it; I just wanted to get the experience. But if there was a goal, it was to make the cut, and I am so happy that I have managed to do that."
The Asia-Pacific Amateur Championships also featured another young talent, fourteen-year-old Andrew Yap from Malaysia. Despite his potential, Yap missed the cut, highlighting the fierce competition and the exceptional performance that Singh delivered to secure his place in the tournament's history.
(With inputs from AFP)
