Hideki Matsuyama booked an Augusta National tee time for the third year running in capturing the Asian Amateur Championship in Singapore.

The 19-year old Matsuyama posted a final round 67 on the Singapore Island Country Club course to retain the title he won last year in his native Japan.

Victory means Matsuyama returns to the Masters, where last year he created history in becoming the first Asian golfer to win the Silver Cup for being the low amateur.

Hideki Matsuyama heading back to Augusta National after retaining his Asian Amateur title. (Photo - Thanks to R & A)

Matsuyama won with an 18-under par and one shot clear of South Korea’s Lee Soo-min.  

The Japan player was never behind after the first hole but did have to fight hard for his success as Lee Soo-min signed for the lowest score of the week after a birdie on the 18th hole secured a round of 64.

Overnight leader Ben Campbell also stayed in touch after recovering from a difficult start to shoot 70 and finish in third place at 16-under thanks to late birdies on holes 16 and 17.

However, Matsuyama continued to hit fairways and greens and secured back-to-back wins with a tap-in par on the 605-yard 18th.

Admitting to feeling some nerves at the start of the back nine, he said: “To be honest my feet started shaking, I was really nervous but I was happy that I was able to play my game even under that tremendous pressure.

“If you look at today and yesterday, I didn’t shoot any bogeys so that was very encouraging for me.” 

His efforts in a 270 four round tally consisted of rounds of 67-71-65-67 over the New Course at Singapore Island and it also set a record 72-hole score in Asian Amateur Championship history.

Matsuyama, who finished T-27 at last year’s Masters to record the third best finish ever by an international amateur, admitted to feeling added pressure coming into the tournament as defending champion but that the thought of a return to Augusta National kept him motivated. 

“At last year’s Asian Amateur Championship, I was able to enjoy the tournament because it was my first time and I did not have a lot of pressure,” he said.

“But this time, since I knew that I had to win to play Augusta again, it was extra pressure for me and it is something I’ve never been through before.

“I think it was because I wanted so badly to go back to play Augusta again. That is why the pressure was there but I am happy that I managed to get over it.”

Lee Soong ming’s 64 tied the record low round in AAC history. 

Lee said: “I played really well today. I was really good with the short wedge shots, from like 40 or 50 yards. I wasn’t hitting the ball any better today but any time I made a bad shot I recovered well. I was really satisfied with how I played this week. 

“All I want to do now is play well and I look forward to next year’s tournament.”

Although Lee missed out on the title, as runner-up he will join Matsuyama in International Final Qualifying for The Open Championship 2012. 

A total of 120 players from 35 countries began the week with television coverage broadcast in 150 countries.

The fourth Asian Amateur Championship will be staged at Amata Spring Country Club in Chonburi, southeast of Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok, from November 1 – 4, 2012.

* Thanks to the R & A for this information.