Masters debutant FIFA Laopakdee explains incredible story behind name
FIFA Laopakdee only debuted at the Masters this year but he is surely the owner of the greatest name in the history of the tournament.
Laopakdee qualified for the iconic event at Augusta after winning the Asia-Pacific Amateur by coming from six shots behind to become the first ever winner to hail from Thailand.
The incredible victory also secured his spot in The Open as well as the Masters. He made history by becoming the first Thai amateur to play at the Major and immediately his peculiar name caught the attention of many fans.
The Arizona State University student's real name is actually Pongsapak. However, incredibly, he actually goes by 'FIFA' simply because his father loves football.
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It was a toss-up between FIFA and the UEFA - the two biggest governing bodies in the sport - and the former got the nod from Peter.
"My dad is a huge soccer fan, and he was choosing between Fifa from FIFA World Cup and Uefa from UEFA Champions League, he explained.
"So luckily it ends up with Fifa!"
The nickname has stuck and is in his tag on Instagram, where the promising rookie regularly posts updates on his career.
Laopakdee has been tipped for to achieve great things on the big stage and played with both Jon Rahm and Josele Balleste for practice in January of this year.
He is currently tied 84th in the Masters leaderboard at the time, having already achieved a dream by just playing in the tournament.
His dad Peter was instrumental in his golf career but never pushed him into the sport as the transition is natural.
"Fifa enjoyed a typical childhood," he stressed.
"He played golf simply for fun and laughter.
"We never pressured him toward a specific sport. But with golf clubs around the house, he grew to learn about the equipment within his reach, leading Fifa to fall in love with the sport that was already a part of our daily lives."
Golf has its fair share of names which are unusual but resonate well, with 15-time major winner Tiger Woods the obvious example.
Woods' real first name is Eldrick but he had 'Tiger' bestowed upon him by his father Earl in honour of a South Vietnamese soldier who saved his life in the Vietnam War.
Josh Lawless