Vietnam's Le Khanh Hung falls off the pace at Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship  01:14, 25/10/2025

The 17-year-old Le, who has been the co-leader since the opening day, saw his chase for an historic victory at Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course unravel on the back nine following a run of three bogeys and one double bogey.

The 2023 Southeast Asian Games gold medallist will enter the final 18 holes in tied fourth place on 10-under, and knows he has a mountain to climb after Japan’s 16-year-old Taisei Nagasaki opened up a commanding five-shot lead following the week’s best of 7-under 65 to lead on 17-under. 

Another Japanese player, Rintaro Nakano (71) sits in second position, followed by Thailand’s Fifa Laopakdee, who shot a 70 to lie on 11-under in the region’s premier amateur championship which awards the winner on Sunday with invitations to the Masters Tournament and The Open next year.

“Just tired out there a little bit. Hit some shots that I didn't want to. Probably could have been smarter with some shots but it's a good experience for me, just because of what happened today,” said a dejected Le, who is making his second appearance at the Championship.

He made the turn in 33 but dropped costly bogeys on Hole Nos. 10, 12 and 13 and suffered a double bogey on 14 with some poor shots. A closing birdie on 18 softened the blow somewhat but Le knows his job on Sunday will be far harder now after Nagasaki’s stunning display which featured eight birdies against a lone bogey.

“Yeah, it gets a bit tougher when the day goes on. As a golfer, you have to be able to be able to adapt to it, and I didn't do a good job of it. I have no excuse. But nevertheless, I still learn a lot from it. There's not much to think about. I just have to try my best out there tomorrow, and hopefully have a good score,” said Le, who is a highschool student in Florida and a University of Illinois commit for 2026.

Compatriot Nguyen Duc Son shot a level par 72 for tied 45th position on 221. Since the event’s inauguration in 2009, no Vietnamese player has won the Championship, with Nguyen Anh Minh’s tied seventh finish in 2023 being the best finish for the country.