Stubbs to seek Masters return at Asia-Pacific Amateur

The lure of another Masters invite is driving Jasper Stubbs as the Australian bids to defend his Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Japan.

Stubbs' pulsating playoff win at Royal Melbourne last year earned him a major championship debut at Augusta National in April and a dream British Open start at Royal Troon in July.

The 22-year-old is desperate to experience the magic again in 2025 and only another victory at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at the Taiheiyo Club's Gotemba course from October 3-6 will suffice.

"This year's been pretty incredible. I've seen everything this year that's always been a dream to me," Stubbs said on Zoom conference on Tuesday.

"So to sort of have a dream year be my reality was pretty awesome.

"Winning this championship last year was always on the table. It was a goal of mine from the start of last year and then to have that come to fruition in October was pretty cool.

"Then the fruits of my labour after that were pretty awesome with the two majors and they were some of the best experiences of my life."

Stubbs missed the cut at both the Masters and Open Championship after opening with rounds of 80 each time and admits he'd love the chance to return to Augusta National a year wiser and with some unfinished business to tend to.

"I think for anyone in the world of golf, amateur or professional, any chance you've got to get to two majors, or a major, you definitely want to take that opportunity," he said.

"And having experienced it this year, I think I've got a little bit more of a taste of what it actually entails to play professional major championship level golf.

"I want to have that feeling again.

"So this is just another great opportunity to get me back there and, yeah, hopefully do a little better this time."

Stubbs features in a formidable seven-strong Australian team for this year's Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship.

Reigning Australian amateur champion Quinnton Croker from Royal Queensland and US college star Tony Chen from Victoria are among the others chasing a spot at Augusta National and Royal Portrush next year.

Queensland 18-year-old Billy Dowling, Victorians Phoenix Campbell and Lukas Michel and WA lefty Connor Fewkes round out the team.

As well as Stubbs last year, fellow Australians Harrison Crowe in 2022 and Curtis Luck in 2016 have won the AAC.

"The Asia-Pacific is all about the opportunities and the prize at the end," said Australian team coach Matt Ballard.