KUALA LUMPUR: Fresh from his breakthrough victory at the Bahrain Amateur Open, Malaysia’s Zubair Firdaus will look to carry his winning momentum into the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) starting Thursday at the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai.
The 23-year-old, a San Jose State University graduate, overturned a five-stroke deficit to claim the Bahrain title by two shots — a timely confidence boost as he leads a seven-strong Malaysian contingent into the region’s premier amateur event, where the champion earns invites to next year’s Masters and The Open.
“Golf is a lot about confidence and momentum,” said Zubair.
“It’s good coming in hot. My ball-striking and putting worked well in Bahrain — those are two huge keys here. I’m looking forward to a great week.”
This will be Zubair’s fourth consecutive AAC appearance, with his best finish of tied-32nd coming in 2022.
Now a more mature and composed player, he believes his years in the US collegiate system — highlighted by a win at the Alister Mackenzie Invitational — have made him mentally stronger.
“I feel I’ve improved a lot. I’m calmer on the course and more controlled with my emotions. US college golf is very competitive, and that pushes you to rise with the level,” he said.
For Zubair, Dubai also feels like home. Having lived there for eight years as a child, he knows the course — and the desert wind — well.
“I grew up playing here, so I’m used to the conditions. You have to shape shots and keep it under the wind,” said Zubair, whose Bahrain triumph also earned him a spot at the DP World Tour’s Bahrain Championship in January.
Joining him in Dubai are Anson Yeo, Zia Iqmal Abdul Rashid, Hariz Hezri, Maverick Chua, Farez Azihan and Joshua Lim.
Anson, the country’s top-ranked amateur at world No. 232, will also make his fourth straight AAC appearance.
“The course is long and tricky with afternoon winds,” said Anson.
“But it’s an honour to represent Malaysia again — and who knows, maybe this could be our week.”
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
