WELLINGTON, New Zealand – Yang Yunseo of South Korea etched her name into the history books on Sunday, becoming the first Korean champion at the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) Championship. Her dominant performance at Royal Wellington Golf Club culminated in a commanding eight-stroke victory, finishing with a final round of 3-under 69 for an aggregate score of 16-under 272. The win not only secures Yang a prestigious continental title but also earns her coveted invitations to three major LPGA events: the AIG Women’s Open, the Amundi Evian Championship, and the Chevron Championship.
Yang’s triumph was particularly impressive given her wire-to-wire victory, a feat previously achieved only by Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand in 2018 and Chinese Taipei’s Chun Wei-wu in 2024. She also matched the championship record for the largest margin of victory, previously set by Yuka Yasuda of Japan in 2019.
The final day proved challenging under blustery and testing conditions, but Yang remained composed, firing the day’s lowest round and holding off last year’s runner-up, fellow Korean Oh Soomin, who carded a 75. Oh started the day just two strokes behind Yang but faltered at the pivotal 14th hole, where a double bogey allowed Yang to extend her lead. Yang capitalized with an eagle at the same hole, effectively sealing her victory.
“I came into the championship knowing there were no Korean winners before,” a jubilant Yang stated. “So, I was motivated to win and it was amazing to be in the same champion’s group with two other Korean players. I’m happy with this achievement.” Yang had previously finished fourth in her WAAP debut in Vietnam last year, demonstrating her consistent performance on the international stage.
While Yang’s victory was the headline, the championship also saw a strong showing from the Philippines’ Rianne Malixi. The 18-year-old Duke University standout finished tied for third, marking her third top-5 finish in the prestigious championship. However, strong winds significantly hampered her final round, leading to a 3-over par 75 and a total score of 6-under 282.
Malixi shared third place with Australian Jazy Roberts, who posted a two-under 70, highlighted by a blistering front nine. Despite a promising start, Malixi struggled with seven bogeys throughout the round, ultimately preventing her from mounting a serious challenge for the title. The conditions at Royal Wellington were particularly difficult, with wind gusts reaching 50 miles per hour and temperatures remaining in the mid-teens, making pars a valuable commodity.
The victory secures Yang an exemption into the women’s Australian Open, to be played at the Kooyonga Golf Club in Adelaide from March 12th to 15th. Beyond the immediate accolades, Yang’s performance signals a rising star in women’s golf and a potential force on the LPGA tour. Her dominant display at the WAAP Championship underscores her talent and composure under pressure, qualities that will undoubtedly serve her well as she embarks on her professional career.
Malixi’s tied-for-third finish continues a trend of consistent performance in the WAAP Championship, solidifying her position as a leading amateur golfer from the Philippines. While the victory eluded her this year, her experience at Royal Wellington will undoubtedly contribute to her development as she continues to compete at the highest levels of amateur golf. The WAAP Championship continues to be a proving ground for emerging talent in the Asia-Pacific region, offering a pathway to professional success and a platform for showcasing the future stars of the game.
, marked a significant day for both Yang Yunseo and Rianne Malixi, albeit in different ways. Yang’s historic win represents a breakthrough for Korean golf, while Malixi’s continued success demonstrates the growing strength of the Philippines’ amateur program. The eighth edition of the WAAP Championship concluded with a clear victor and a promising outlook for the future of women’s golf in the Asia-Pacific region.
