Summary
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Rintaro Nakano of Japan achieved a eagle On the par-5 13th hole for the second consecutive day, he birdied the hole, carding a 6-under-par 66. This puts him in a three-way tie for the lead at the end of the second round of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship. Khanh Hung Le, a 17-year-old from Vietnam who has committed to playing college golf at Illinois, shot a 67, while Australia's Harry Takis also carded a 66, joining Rintaro at an 11-under-par 133.
The tournament, held at the Majlis course at Emirates Golf Club, offers the winner a place in next year's Masters and British Open. He is looking to become the first Vietnamese winner since Augusta National and the R&A launched the Asia-Pacific Amateur in 2010. Rintaro, meanwhile, aims to join an elite group of Japanese winners that includes Hideki Matsuyama (twice), Takumi Kanaya, and Keita Nakajima, all of whom were ranked number one in the world amateur rankings.
Key details
Takis, on the other hand, joins the recent surge of San Diego State alumni. This year he was named Mountain West Conference Rookie of the Year for the Aztecs. Other San Diego State alumni include major tournament champions like Xander Schauffele and JJ Spaun, while Justin Hastings won the Latin American Amateur last year during his final season with the Aztecs.
The cut for the top 60 and ties was set at 6 over par 150, including Geoffrey Lablak, the first Lebanese player to achieve this feat in the Asia-Pacific. Lablak finished tied for 23rd place after rounds of 73-71. Three players from the United Arab Emirates made the cut, with Ahman Skaik being the highest-ranked in 10th place.
