By Chuah Choo Chiang
A 15-inch scar running down the middle of his abdomen serves as a daily reminder for Justin Kuk to be grateful that he is still playing competitive golf, particularly on a week like this at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship.
The 25-year-old Singaporean will be making his third Championship start at Te Arai Links, some nine months after a health scare that left him hospitalised for a month.
“I have a scar now that's 12 to 15 inches, it's through my belly button,” said Kuk. “It a little unsightly but it gives me a good reminder of what I've been through and it just helps my mentality of when I play out there. When I think about it now, it helps me to become very grateful of every opportunity that I get.”
What began as a routine keyhole procedure for appendicitis in January resulted in further surgery and a month-long hospital stay. The recovery was arduous that taking a shower at home was difficult, while rebuilding his strength and mobility presented another significant challenge.
“When it comes to golf, it is a lot of core strength. So, it was hard for me to take a shower by myself for two months. I took it step by step. I know myself, that I always come back from a setback. This might be my biggest setback so far but I just kept trying to keep going each day, day by day,” said Kuk, who finished tied 33rd on his Asia-Pacific Amateur debut in 2021 before missing the halfway cut in Dubai last year.
“I went to physiotherapy for about a month to get a little bit more mobility back in my body. After that I went for a lot of sessions with a personal trainer, about three times a week to get my body stronger again, and then I was able to take off again because I didn't want to get injured without getting my body ready.”
To his own surprise, Kuk claimed his first international title at the Vietnam Amateur Open in July, providing a timely boost to his confidence ahead of the 17th edition of the Asia-Pacific Amateur. Eager to prepare as thoroughly as possible for a serious title challenge this week, he persuaded his parents to fund a six-day stay at Te Arai Links, where 16 holes offer views of the Pacific Ocean, allowing him to familiarise himself with the stunning layout.
“That put a hole in my dad's pocket,” he smiled. “Played the course three times and I feel grateful for the opportunity because the conditions are so different from Singapore, and just the preparation for this tournament is quite a lot. That was fun.
“I think it's an itch that I got from that trip. Conditions are pretty similar. It's a little bit firmer and faster now. But I think for a guy coming from Southeast Asia, that's an advantage. My parents are very supportive of me. They are telling me to go as far as I want to go. Fingers crossed, hopefully I don't think so (I have to pay them back),” added Kuk, who was the 2025 Singapore Amateur champion.
This week’s winner of the region’s premier amateur championship will earn coveted opportunities to compete at the Masters Tournament and The Open next year, rewards which every player in the 120-man field dream of, including Kuk.
“I feel really confident. All aspects are coming together. Like my short game, I like the conditions. I have a few tweaks with my golf clubs, 60-degree wedge, I changed a different grind for my club. I use the V grind usually, it has a little bit more bounce but I changed to a T grind, which has a little bit less bounce. I also hit my ball flight lower and I think that's an advantage this week.”
No Singaporean has won the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship since its inauguration in 2009, with James Leow's tied-fifth finish in 2019 remains the nation's best result.
Kuk recognises the challenge ahead as he seeks to dethrone defending champion Fifa Laopakdee of Thailand, who triumphed in Dubai last year.
“We always come here with the mentality of trying to win,” he said. “A lot of times that doesn't happen but that mentality is important to compete. I'm a perfectionist when it comes to golf. So every time I get disappointed, I just tell myself, look where I was six months ago. It gives me more perspective, and I'm grateful to be here and to keep going.
“Winning this tournament is going to mean a lot, with the Masters and The Open. It's always been trying to prove to myself that I'm good enough to be able to win this tournament. If that comes along, I will be very grateful for that.”
Justin Kuk of Singapore lines up a putt
2026 AAC
