Yunseo Yang Makes History With Runaway WAAP Win

Yunseo Yang delivered a statement week at Royal Wellington, closing with a 3-under 69 in gusting southerly winds to become the first Korean champion in Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific history. Yang finished at 16-under 272, pulling away on Sunday as conditions worsened and scoring proved scarce.

The final margin was emphatic: Yang ended eight shots clear of compatriot Soomin Oh, matching the WAAP record winning margin. She also became the first player to win the championship while holding the solo lead after every round — built on a bogey-free opening 64, followed by 67-72-69 across the final three days.

With the title, Yang earns exemptions into three major championships in 2026 — the AIG Women’s Open, The Amundi Evian Championship, and The Chevron Championship — along with invitations into a slate of elite amateur opportunities that come with the WAAP crown.

Beyond the trophy, it was a landmark moment for Korea. After near-misses in recent editions, Yang’s breakthrough delivered a defining national win in the Asia-Pacific region’s premier women’s amateur championship.

Final Leaderboard: Royal Wellington Golf Club (Par 72)

WAAP Heads to Royal Wellington for the First Time

The eighth edition of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship will be held at Royal Wellington Golf Club in New Zealand from 12–15 February 2026.

This marks the first time New Zealand has hosted the championship, which aims to inspire future generations of women golfers and has evolved into the preeminent women’s amateur championship in the Asia-Pacific region.

Situated alongside the Hutt River, Royal Wellington is a classic parkland layout and widely regarded as one of the premier courses in the country — a fitting stage for one of amateur golf’s most prestigious titles.

Defending Champion Jeneath Wong Returns Chasing History

Much attention at Royal Wellington will focus on Jeneath Wong of Malaysia, who returns to defend her title after a breakthrough victory in 2025.

Wong will not only be bidding to become the first player to successfully defend the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific title, but also the first to win the championship twice — a milestone that would further cement her place in WAAP history.

Now a senior at Pepperdine University in California, Wong understands exactly what is at stake.

“It’s quite surreal being the defending champion,” Wong said. “I’ve had so many memories come rushing back to me from my win last year. Time has flown past so quickly but I’m so excited to be back at the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific.

“I had such an incredible year with the opportunity to play in the majors. I learned so much playing alongside the professionals. To have that chance again would be amazing so it’s definitely on my mind to try and defend but I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself.”

With the pathway to major championships once again on the line, Wong’s return immediately shapes the storyline of the week.

Who to Watch

Wong won’t lack challengers.

Four players who finished closest to her a year ago at Hoiana Shores return with unfinished business. Soomin Oh, the highest-ranked player in the field at No. 11 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking® (WAGR®), came up just one shot short in Vietnam and arrives as perhaps the most statistically proven contender. Fellow Korean Sumin Hong finished third last year, while Yunseo Yang and Australia’s Jazy Roberts shared fourth — all four now seeking to flip the script.

Roberts, in particular, arrives in New Zealand with significant momentum. She recently dominated the 2026 Australian Women’s Amateur Championship, closing the week in emphatic fashion with a final-round 8-under 63 to win by six shots at 27-under-par — one of the most commanding amateur performances of the season.

Another major presence is Rianne Malixi of the Philippines, already one of the most decorated amateurs in the field. Malixi is one of four players making a record-setting sixth WAAP appearance this week, joined by New Zealand’s Vivian Lu, Singapore’s Inez Ng, and Rotana Howard of the Cook Islands — a testament to both longevity and sustained elite performance in the region.

With world-class depth, returning podium finishers, and established stars chasing breakthrough moments, the leaderboard at Royal Wellington is unlikely to lack movement.

Wide-Eyed and Fearless: The Youngest in the Field

Amelie and Elise, the Youngest in the Field

The youngest players in the field are arriving with very different accents — and the same wide-eyed sense of wait, this is actually happening.

At just 13, Wellington's own Elise Barber — the youngest in the field — steps onto her home course for the biggest tournament of her young life. A last-minute withdrawal swung the door open, and the dream invite still feels utterly surreal.

“You’re kidding me… no way!” Barber said. “I couldn’t believe it.”

She isn’t here only for the experience. Barber’s 2025 season was the kind that makes junior golf hard to ignore: she won the Australian Junior Age Division Championship (Girls 11–12), finished runner-up at the New Zealand Women’s Stroke Play Championship against adult competition, and helped Wellington place third at the Women’s Interprovincial.

Alongside her is Amelie Blossom Ng, 14, making her WAAP debut — and her first trip to New Zealand — with the confidence of someone already comfortable winning away from home. The Singaporean has claimed titles domestically and overseas, finished runner-up at the Singapore National Women’s Amateur, and placed fifth at the Hong Kong Girls’ Junior Open. She even prepared for Wellington’s length by playing from the men’s tees back home.

“I didn’t expect to get the invitation,” Ng said. “But after I processed it, I felt really proud.”

Both teenagers know the scale of the week. Barber calls it the biggest event she’s ever played. Ng keeps saying “hopefully” — hopefully the cut, hopefully the weekend, hopefully something more — because at 14, why not dream?