Anshul Mishra, Arkesh Bhatia, and Ribhav Verma — India's three representatives at the 2026 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship — missed the halfway cut by a significant margin at Te Arai Links' South Course in Tomarata, New Zealand, on 30 October 2026. Defending champion Fifa Laopakdee of Thailand, meanwhile, held a commanding lead heading into the weekend rounds.

Indian Players Miss the Cut

The cut was set at 13-over-par 155 after 36 holes, with 62 players advancing to the weekend. India's contingent fell well short: Anshul Mishra carded rounds of 82-80, Arkesh Bhatia posted 85-81, and Ribhav Verma returned scores of 79-88. None came close to the cut line, ending their campaign at the halfway stage in challenging, windy conditions that gripped the South Course on Friday.

Laopakdee Maintains Lead Despite Windy Second Round

Defending champion Fifa Laopakdee, 21, carded a one-over 72 on Friday to hold his lead at seven-under overall, two strokes ahead of New Zealander Cooper Moore in solo second at five-under. Laopakdee had opened with a stunning eight-under 63 on Thursday — the talk of the tournament — before the wind complicated matters on day two.

The Thai star was candid about the grind. 'As you can see, it's a little windy,' he laughed. 'Overall, it was a grind out there for me. Had a great front nine, shot two under par, then back nine, just didn't make any putts. Got two 3-putts and then coming down the stretch had a great chance of birdies, but I just missed all of them. But if you ask me, like, just all week, I would take seven under for the first two rounds, I would take it, definitely, and I think I'm in good position for the weekend.'

Laopakdee began his second round with a bogey at the par-4 10th, before bouncing back with birdies at holes 12, 13, and 17. As the wind stiffened through the morning, he traded a birdie at the 3rd for bogeys at holes 1, 2, 4, and 5, eventually settling at seven-under par for the championship.

Leaderboard: New Zealand's Home Charge

Playing partner Zack Swanwick — ranked No. 24 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) — posted the round of the day, a four-under 67, to climb from a tie for 25th after round one to outright fourth, now four shots off the lead. Cooper Moore, 18, held second place at five-under after birdying two of his last three holes; Ryan Xie occupied third at four-under. All three are New Zealanders, collectively chasing to surpass their country's best-ever Championship finish of third, achieved on three prior occasions.

Notably, Moore is the only player in the field to post sub-par rounds on each of the first two days on the par-71 South Course, having carded 67 and 70 respectively.

Laopakdee's Formidable Pedigree

Ranked No. 31 in the WAGR, Laopakdee won the 2025 Asia-Pacific Amateur in Dubai via a sudden-death playoff at the third extra hole. His subsequent season was remarkable: he claimed individual and team gold at the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, and made his debut at both the Masters and The Open earlier in 2026. A successful title defence in New Zealand would further cement his reputation as the region's premier amateur talent.

What to Watch This Weekend

With Laopakdee two clear of Moore and a home crowd rallying behind the Kiwi trio, the final two rounds at Te Arai Links promise a compelling battle. The Thai champion's ability to manage the notorious coastal winds at the South Course could be the decisive factor as the championship heads into the weekend.