The hilarious story of how this Masters competitor got the nickname 'Fifa'
Masters amateur 'Fifa' Laopakdee, the first Thai amateur to play at Augusta National, reveals the soccer-inspired story behind his unique name.
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Fifa Laopakdee has perhaps the most interesting name of the 2026 Masters . The junior at Arizona State is one of six amateurs teeing it up this week at Augusta National .
He earned his spot in the field thanks to his victory at the Asia-Pacific Amateur , where he won on the third playoff hole with a birdie. He's the first Thai amateur to play in the Masters, as well. He goes by the nickname "Fifa," but his birth name is Pongsapak.
He got the nickname from his parents, and Laopakdee told the hilarious story of how he got his nickname Monday during his pre-tournament press conference at the Augusta National Golf Club. "My dad is a huge soccer fan, and he was choosing between Fifa from FIFA World Cup and Uefa from UEFA Champions League," Laopakdee said. "So luckily (I) ended up with Fifa.
" It's the second straight year an amateur from Arizona State has been in the Masters field. In 2025, Josele Ballester made his debut as the defending U. S.