Blake Windred and Nathan Barbieri are all set for what could be the most important tournament of their amateur careers when the Asia-Pacific Amateur begins this Thursday in Shanghai, China.
And for the winner this week the spoils are priceless, with starts in the Masters in April and the 2020 Open Championship at Royal St. Georges awaiting the champion.
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PROFILE: Blake Windred
PROFILE: Nathan Barbieri
The duo, who are part of a six-person Aussie outfit, got their first look at the Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai earlier today and were impressed with what they saw.
“The course is amazing, definitely one of the best I have played,” Barbieri added.
For Barbieri, the Asia-Pacific Amateur is a first in national colours and one he is naturally thrilled to achieve. His game is nearing the level which saw him reach the Australian Amateur final in January, and he is looking forward to the start of the tournament.
“It feels pretty special to represent Australia,” Barbieri added. “My game is shaping up nicely.”
“I just have to get the ball in the fairway this week, and I should be in for a great week,” he said with confidence.
It could well be a final hurrah for Windred, with the 21-year-old all but committed to turning professional following this week’s tournament.
The 21-year-old is playing his second Asia Pacific Amateur and will be looking to go better than his 24th place finish in Singapore last year.
“My swing feels great, and I’m just enjoying the week,
The pair will be out to emulate the feats of Antonio Murdaca (Royal Melbourne 2014) and Curtis Luck (Korea 2016) who have lifted the trophy.