Brothers in Arms – Nagasakis Hoping to Share the Joy at Te Arai Links

By Joy Chakravarty

Taisei Nagasaki insists he needed just one day to get over the disappointment of last year’s crushing loss in the play-off to 2025 Asia-Pacific Amateur champion Fifa Laopakdee.

“I think the biggest mistake I made that day was that I started focusing on Fifa’s scores rather than my own game,” said the 17-year-old high school student from Miyazaki, who led by five shots going into the final round of last year’s AAC at the Majlis Course of Emirates Golf Club in Dubai.

Taisei bravely shook hands with the Thai champion after the play-off and then his emotions hit him. It was as unforgettable a moment of the 16th edition of the AAC.

Hope springs eternal and Taisei is back for another tilt at the Championship. This year he has also brought his big brother. Koshin is at Te Arai Links not as a support system for Taisei but as one of the 119 other players trying to beat him to take the ultimate prize of the beautiful AAC trophy and the dream places in the 2027 Masters and The 155th Open Championship at St Andrews.

Mention Koshin and it brings a smile to Taisei’s face.

“It is good to have him here. We are sharing a room and we are getting to spend a lot of time together. With him in college (the renowned Tohoku Fukushi University, which has already produced two past AAC champions in Hideki Matsuyama and Takumi Kanaya), I don’t get to spend too much time with him so this is very nice,” Taisei added.

Koshin, who played the Baycurrent Championship, a PGA Tour event in Japan, recently, has his own aspirations from the Championship but he wants his younger brother to do well too.

“I was watching the broadcast from Dubai last year and I remember him missing the final short putt. We were as disappointed as he was,” said Koshin.

“When we spoke I don’t remember exactly what I said but I did tell him I was so proud of him and so excited to see him getting so close to playing in the Masters and The Open. It motivated me as well.

“I am so happy that I am playing this great Championship this year. Taisei’s performance made me want to compete here this year even more.”

When they are together in the room they discuss the Te Arai Links course and what would be the best strategy to play it.

“I think the most important thing is to be driving the ball well and keeping it in the fairways. The sandy waste areas must be avoided at all costs. From the fairways you have a better chance to get closer to the pins as the greens are tricky,” said Taisei.

The brothers have spurred each other but, if Taisei is to be believed, there is no competition between the two. The younger Nagasaki is adamant he dominates the sibling rivalry.

When asked who wins when you both play together, Taisei responds “Me. It’s me all the time.”

Who wins when they play video games together?

“Me again. Every single time.”

And who will be the favourite this week in the Nagasaki family now that both sons have made it to the Championship?

“Me. They love me more.”

Enjoying the rapid-fire questions, Taisei then added with a mischievous smile: “It would be great if Koshin finishes second and I win the championship. I have already finished second once before.”

The Nagasaki brothers become only the second pair of siblings playing together in the Championship, joining Jordan’s Mousa and Hashem Al Shana’ah.