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Agence France-Presse

Amateur golfer Hiroshi Tai will be the first Singaporean to play in the US Masters after he won the prestigious national college championship in the United States.
The 22-year-old, who studies at Georgia Tech, won the NCAA Individual Men’s Championship in California on Monday by one stroke to earn a place at Augusta in April 2025 and a major debut at next month’s US Open at Pinehurst.
The NCAA Championship has been a launch pad for many glittering careers.
The list of past winners reads like a who’s who of professional golf and includes Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Luke Donald and Bryson DeChambeau.
“It means a lot,” the amateur world No 70 Tai told the Golf Channel after withstanding a late triple-bogey on his way to a one-under 71 in the final round.
Tai, who spent two years in compulsory military service before enrolling at Georgia Tech, finished at three-under 285 for a one-shot victory over five players.
“All the guys in the team have really helped me a lot,” he added.


It was only the third college tournament win for Tai.
After graduating from high school in Florida in 2019, Tai delayed college for two years to complete National Service back home in Singapore.
He credited the experience for helping him to keep a cool head under pressure.
“I think it just let me mature and kind of figure out what I really wanted to do,” Tai said of his 22 months in the Singapore Navy.
“It made me appreciate everything that I do have playing golf almost every day.”


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The Masters

US Masters: Amateur golfer Hiroshi Tai, 22, becomes first Singaporean to qualify for Major after winning US college title

Hiroshi Tai withstood a late triple-bogey in the final round for a one-stroke victory at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California. Photo: Getty Images

Sport

Golf

Georgia Tech student won NCAA Championship by a stroke to earn a place at Augusta next April and at next month’s US Open
The amateur world No 70 credited his two years of compulsory military service with helping him to keep calm under pressure


Georgia Tech student, the amateur world No 70, won NCAA Championship to earn a place at Augusta next April and at next month’s US Open.


US Open (golf)

Singapore