Over the years, Asian golf has made significant strides at the prestigious Masters Tournament, led by the likes of 2021 champion Hideki Matsuyama and 2020 runner-up Im Sung-jae.
Hideki Matsuyama – 2021 Masters champion. #themasters
松山英樹-2021年マスターズチャンピオン pic.twitter.com/P3JDVW5RMt
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2021
Southeast Asia, meanwhile, has yet to make a strong impact. It took nearly 30 years after the inaugural tournament in 1934 for the region to be represented, when Filipino legend Ben Arda teed it up in 1962. Up until the turn of the century, Southeast Asia had featured just four times in total.
However, since then, there has been gradual progress. Golfers from the region have appeared in 14 of the last 25 editions, with Thailand leading the charge through pioneers such as Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat. The country continues to set the benchmark this year through Pongsapak “Fifa” Laopakdee, who is set to make his Masters debut.
A thrilling finish from a fitting champion.
Thailand’s Fifa Laopakdee overcame a six-stroke deficit to win the 2025 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in a playoff over Japan’s Taisei Nagasaki.
With this victory, Fifa has earned an invitation to compete in the 90th Masters… pic.twitter.com/3BimE0u3w3
— The Masters (@TheMasters) October 26, 2025
Singapore has also entered the fold, with Hiroshi Tai becoming its first Masters participant in 2025. It is a milestone that other Southeast Asian nations such as Malaysia and Indonesia will look to emulate in the years ahead.
Ahead of the 90th edition at the Augusta National Golf Club from April 9-12, live on SPOTV NOW, here’s a look at Southeast Asia’s representatives at the Masters from the very beginning to 2026:
| Country | Golfer | Appearance | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philippines | Ben Arda | 1 | Cut (1962) |
| Frankie Miñoza | 1 | Cut (1991) | |
| Singapore | Hiroshi Tai | 1 | Cut (2025) |
| Thailand | Thongchai Jaidee | 5 | T37 (2014); 55th (2015); 57th (2016); Withdrew (2010); Cut (2006) |
| Kiradech Aphibarnrat | 3 | T15 (2016); T44 (2018); T49 (2019) | |
| Prayad Marksaeng | 2 | Withdrew (2008); Cut (2009) | |
| Sukree Onsham | 2 | Cut (1970, 1971) | |
| Jazz Janewattananond | 1 | T51 (2020) | |
| Pongsapak Laopakdee | 1 | TBC | |
| Thaworn Wiratchant | 1 | Cut (2013) |
Kiradech Aphibarnrat was one-upped by his caddies on No. 9 in the Par 3 Contest.
Those caddies just happened to be @jutanugarn @MJutanugarn. pic.twitter.com/YiQm8Vq0zn
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2019
