Viral golf amateur named 'Fifa' hasn't played links golf in 10 years ahead of The Open
Viral golf amateur named 'Fifa' hasn't played links golf in 10 years ahead of The Open
Daniel BlackhamThu, July 16, 2026 at 7:07 AM UTC
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Fifa Laopakdee is playing his third professional tournament this week - the Open Championship -Credit:GETTY
Amateur golfing star Pongsapak Laopakdee may have gone viral earlier in the year after his nickname - Fifa, after the soccer governing body - caught global attention, but this week he has the chance to make his name on the course, too.
Laopakdee, who is currently in his senior year at Arizona State University, is playing just the third professional tournament of his career at this week's Open Championship. The other one of note? The Masters, back in April. That appearance at Augusta National came after he won the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship last year, and earned him status as a household name due to his nickname.
Dubbed 'Fifa' due to his dad's love for soccer, Laopakdee ended up missing the cut at Augusta, finishing on 11-over after two days. But that week was really all about the experience, with the Thai national staying in Butler Cabin and getting to use the locker room.
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This week, he faces a brand-new challenge - playing a difficult links golf in conditions he isn't used to.
The 21-year-old, who carries himself like a seasoned professional and treated everyone with respect coming off the green at the ninth hole on Wednesday afternoon, spoke to Mirror US Sport about the opportunity he's earned.
Laopakdee will be playing alongside the best players in the world - he's paired up with Daniel Brown and Sungjae Im for his opening round - but he confessed there's something in particular that will create issues this week.
Fifa Laopakdee is navigating the dunes of Royal Birkdale this week -Credit:GETTY
"It's my first time playing a links course in the last ten years," Laopakdee candidly admitted. "So it's been fun!"
"I've been using all my imagination and creativity, because you need a lot of shots in your bag for this week."
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Laopakdee, clearly eager to learn from the experience as much as possible, arrived in England last Tuesday - a full nine days before the tournament got underway - in order to soak up the experience.
"I got here on the seventh, what day is that? I've been here for a while, but I had a little lower back injury so I took a rest for a few days. Got back to playing on Monday."
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Playing links golf is difficult for even the best players in the world, but Laopakdee faces the added difficulty of having predominantly played on luscious green courses in America on the collegiate circuit. But 'Fifa' is up for the challenge of adjusting his game.
"It's getting browner and browner every day, it's firm and dry, it's going to be fun.
"It's a new condition, that's for sure. It's not what I'm used to in America or Thailand, but I'm learning a lot from the last few days to hopefully take advantage of the morning tee time."
Fifa Laopakdee confirmed he'll be turning professional next summer when he finishes his senior year at college -Credit:GETTY
It's every young player's dream to play at Augusta National, let alone The Open Championship, and Laopakdee is aiming to use the experience in his final year with the Sun Devils before going professional.
"It's been a big year for me, a lot of ups and downs, but we learn and move on, and now I'm ready for this week. I'm excited for this week.
"I'm definitely going to turn pro after I finish my senior year next year next May. I've got less than a year left to turn pro, so this is great preparation for me."
Source: “AOL Sports”
