Indian Golfers to Compete at Asia-Pacific Amateur
Arkesh Bhatia, Anshul Mishra and Ribhav Verma represent India at the tournament beginning October 29 at Te Arai Links.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Golf
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Arkesh Bhatia, Anshul Mishra and Ribhav Verma are set to participate in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, which runs from October 29 to November 1, 2026. This tournament held in New Zealand features 120 players from 39 countries.
Why it matters
The championship serves as a key developmental platform for golf in the region, offering the winner major invitations to the 2027 Masters and The 155th Open. These professional opportunities provide a pathway for top amateurs to transition into elite competition.
The tournament features 120 players from 39 nations competing on a par-71 layout measuring 6,842 yards. Participants include Arkesh Bhatia (344th), Anshul Mishra (382nd), and Ribhav Verma (463rd) in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
The players
Arkesh Bhatia
He is an amateur golfer currently ranked 344th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking who is representing India in this championship.
Anshul Mishra
Ranked 382nd in the world, he previously finished tied seventh in the 2025 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Dubai.
Ribhav Verma
He is a golfer ranked 463rd in the world who secured wins at the 2026 IGU Hyderabad Amateur and the 2025 Kolkata Masters.
The details
The event consists of four rounds of stroke play at the Te Arai Links course in New Zealand. Beyond Masters and Open invitations, the winner earns an exemption into The 131st Amateur Championship.
Timeline
The Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship takes place from October 29 to November 1, 2026.
The championship was first created in 2009.
The 2027 Masters Tournament will host the winner of this event.
Season Trajectory
This event extends the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship's developmental mandate by providing professional-level exemptions to top finishers. Performance here significantly impacts an athlete's standing for upcoming major professional tour entries.
The winner of the tournament secures a spot in the field for both the 2027 Masters and The 155th Open. Participants also compete for an exemption into The 131st Amateur Championship, impacting their potential professional trajectory.
The takeaway
Amateur golfers in the region gain critical international experience at this tournament. Players looking to turn professional often use these high-stakes events to measure their progress against a global field.
Further reading
For more information on major amateur tournaments, visit the Golf section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NewKerala.
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