Fifa Laopakdee of Thailand reacts after putting on the No. 9 green during the final round of the 2026 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship being played at the Te Arai Links, South Course. Photo / AAC

Defending champion Fifa Laopakdee rose above again as New Zealand’s hopes of a maiden Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship title fell away on the final day at Te Arai Links South Course.

The Thai player went wire-to-wire to join 2021 Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama as the only players to defend their titles,