A premier amateur golf tournament in the world, the AAC is one of five ‘elite’ events on the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), and befitting its status, the championship will be the most televised amateur golf event in the world.

The Asia Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), the Masters Tournament and The R&A – the event’s Founding Partners – announced the championship will be broadcast live for three hours each round.

Coverage begins at 13:00 local time (05:00 GMT) on both Thursday September 26 and Friday September 27. Coverage of the weekend rounds, following a cut to the top 60 players and ties, will air from 10:00 to 13:00 hours (02:00-05:00 GMT) on Saturday September 28 and Sunday September 29.

A 30-minute wrap-up highlight show will also be produced following the conclusion of the final round.

A full field of 120 amateurs from 39 countries and territories will vie for the prestigious title, which provides an invitation to the 2020 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club and a place in The 149th Open at Royal St George’s, provided the champion retains his amateur status. The runner(s)-up will earn a spot in The Open Qualifying Series.

With broadcast partners around the globe, golf fans can follow the AAC in key markets on five continents. Live coverage in the host nation will be on Sina, the leading online media company serving mainland China.

The broadcast will be available on Fox Sports in Australia and throughout Asia, SBS Sports in Korea, Tokyo Broadcasting System in Japan, ESPN2 in the United States, Sky Sports in the United Kingdom and New Zealand, Golf TV in Europe, ESPN in Latin America, SuperSport in Southern Africa and TSN in Canada.

All live coverage will also be available on the official website, www.AACgolf.com, which will also feature unique video and editorial content throughout the championship.

Takumi Kanaya is the defending champion of the AAC. PHOTO: Stanley Chou/Getty Images.

Kei Muratsu, APGC Chairman, said: “From the very beginning, the mission of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship has been to grow the game and showcase the talent we have in AsiaPacific countries. The championship’s live broadcast is a key platform to accomplish this goal, not only in the region but on a global scale.

“Thanks to our many broadcast partners, the AAC is now the world’s most televised amateur golf tournament, and we look forward to highlighting our region’s best amateur players and the development of the game at Sheshan International Golf Club this year.”

The English-speaking commentary team will include Bill Macatee, a regular member of the Masters Tournament television broadcast, who will be announcing his 10th AAC. Frank Nobilo, one of New Zealand’s most successful golfers and a CBS analyst in the United States, will return for the eighth consecutive year. CBS Sports reporter Amanda Balionis and Fox Sports Australia broadcaster and former professional golfer Paul Gow will handle player interviews and oncourse reporting duties.

The AAC was created in 2009 by the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), the Masters Tournament and The R&A. The championship returns for the third time to mainland China, which hosted the inaugural AAC in 2009 at Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen, followed by the 2013 edition at Nanshan International Golf Club in Longkou City, Shandong.

Leading this year’s field, which is comprised of the finest men’s amateurs in the region, is the defending champion and current WAGR No.2, Takumi Kanaya of Japan. Other top-ranked competitors include No.4 David Micheluzzi and No.11 Blake Windred (both of Australia), as well Chinese Taipei’s Chun An Yu, who is ranked No.9.

The home challenge will be spearheaded by 19-year-old Lin Yuxin of Beijing, who is hoping to become only the second player after Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama to win multiple AAC titles. Lin won the 2017 AAC at Royal Wellington Golf Club in New Zealand.

Spectators are encouraged to watch the drama unfold September 26-29 at Sheshan International Golf Club. Entry to the 2019 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship is free of charge.

For more information, visit www.AACgolf.com.