Fifa Laopakdee refused to listen to the voices inside his head.
The senior at Arizona State has not played his best golf over the past year. About a year ago, he won the biggest championship of his life, claiming the Asia-Pacific Amateur. Since then, his game has been bogged down and his mind clouded with bad thoughts and impatience.
He didn't let that stop him from joining an exclusive club Sunday.
Laopakdee won the 2026 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at Te Arai Links in New Zealand, coming from behind in the final round to defeat Zack Swanwick by three shots. Laopakdee joins Hideki Matsuyama as the only players to win consecutive AAC titles, and that made his latest victory even more special.
"I feel like I'm more proud of myself this year
because I never stopped believing in myself, and even though I have a tough year," Laopakdee said. "I literally didn't win a single thing since March. I just keep telling myself that I've still got it. There was a demon in my said that said I don't have it anymore but there was still a big part of me that still believes in myself.
"This win means a lot because I'm able to prove to myself that I've still got it."
The moment Fifa Laopakdee secured the 2026 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship for a second time. 🙌#AACGolf pic.twitter.com/UKH0T2BP7a
— Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (@AAC_Golf) November 1, 2026
Laopakdee, who opened in 63 on Thursday and closed with a 1-under 70 on Sunday, was in chase mode until the 11th hole. Swanwick carded a triple bogey 7 while Laopakdee made a birdie for a four-shot swing. He went from chasing to leading with only seven holes to go, saying he felt his hands shaking on the birdie putt.
But his mentality didn't change. He wanted to still believe he was chasing. It just wasn't another person; it was history.
With the win, Laopakdee will return to the Masters and Open Championship in 2027 after competing in both majors for the first time earlier this year. Both experiences helped show him what life after college was going to be like.
"You share the same locker room, share the same dining hall, share the same practice round, you get to experience how those people live," Laopakdee said. "I just learned from it and it made me a lot more mature, and I've started to read books now that help with my brain now. I love reading about golf psychology, like the Bob Rotella book.
"This morning, the whole week, when I have a late tee time, I wake up, eat breakfast, go back to my room, read books, write down notes in my journal and try to find something that I can use on the course, and it worked out perfectly."
Now the history books will have to include him in the same conversations as Matsuyama when discussing the AAC. Laopakdee hasn't met the 2021 Masters champion yet, but perhaps that will change next April at Augusta National.
"Hideki has played a huge part in golf for Japan, and also Asia," Laopakdee said. "Being able to win back-to-back like him is a huge honor. He's a great player. I hope to follow his footsteps."
The 2027 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship will be played October 28-31 at Hoiana Shores Golf Club in Hoi An, Vietnam.
Cameron Jourdan is an assistant editor of Golfweek, covering college and amateur golf, the PGA Tour and plenty more. Follow Cameron on X/Twitter (@Cam_Jourdan) or Instagram (@GolfweekJourdan).
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Fifa Laopakdee joins Hideki Matsuyama with back-to-back Asia-Pacific Amateur victories
