Confident Chen Chasing More History

Singapore: History-maker Chen Xingtong will spearhead a five-strong Singapore challenge in the eighth edition of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) championship.

Chen wrote her name into the golfing record books last year as the first Singaporean to qualify for the US Girls Junior Championship final. She’s now been confirmed to make her fifth WAAP appearance at Royal Wellington, New Zealand from February 12-15.

Joining Chen in the region’s foremost women’s amateur championship are her compatriots Inez Ng, who will make her sixth WAAP start, Sydnie Ng, who enjoyed a debut appearance in Vietnam last year, Aamiya Koul and Amelie Blossom Ng, who will both make their debuts in New Zealand.

Chen and Inez Ng featured in the Singapore team which won the silver medal at last month’s Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand. 

The 17-year-old Chen is looking forward to returning to Royal Wellington having been among the participants in the recent WAAP Academy there, which is delivered by The R&A and the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) to strengthen the development pathway in the region.

“I’m very excited for the 2026 WAAP, especially after the amazing opportunity in the WAAP Academy where I was able to play and experience the course. Also, this SEA Games team silver medal gives me confidence that I hope to bring to Royal Wellington,” said Chen, whose best WAAP performance was tied 23rd at Vietnam’s Hoiana Shores in March. 

“The opportunity to compete against and learn from the top amateurs in the Asia-Pacific region has definitely helped me in my growth and development as a golfer. I’ve learnt to play in many different conditions and to perform under pressure, which is crucial in golf,” added Chen, 164th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).

A total of 83 players from 28 countries are set to contest the WAAP which was developed by the APGC and The R&A to nurture talent and provide a pathway for the region’s elite women amateurs to the international stage. 

Current world number one Atthaya ‘Jeeno’ Thitikul of Thailand is the most notable WAAP champion to date, having gone on to establish herself in women’s professional golf after becoming the inaugural winner at Singapore’s Sentosa Golf Club in 2018. Singapore’s very own Shannon Tan also participated in the WAAP during her amateur days and recently became the first Singaporean to win the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit title.

Chen is hoping to shine against the top amateurs in New Zealand and will use her US Girls Junior Championship achievement as motivation.

“I think my performance at the US Girls definitely inspires a lot of confidence in myself. I learnt that I have what it takes to compete in high-level golf,” said Chen, who lost 2&1 in the US Girls Junior Championship final to Canadian Aphrodite Deng.

“This WAAP championship is an incredibly prestigious event and an amazing opportunity for golfers like myself to gain experience and exposure. It’s an event we strive for as the winner will earn invitations to compete in three Majors and other elite championships,” added Chen, a two-time Singapore Junior champion, who is also the youngest winner in Singapore Open Amateur history after winning in 2024 when aged 15.

February’s field will include 13 players from the top-50 of the WAGR and 26 from the top-100, including world number 12 Oh Soo-min from Korea, and world number 17 Rianne Malixi of the Philippines. They will headline the 2026 edition alongside defending champion Jeneath Wong, the first Malaysian winner in WAAP history.

If any of the five Singaporeans can pull off a maiden win for the nation at Royal Wellington, Chen believes it would be a boon for the development of the game.

She said: “It would be huge, especially for helping the growth of golf in Singapore. While we are a small country, seeing our neighbour Malaysia succeed on this stage gives us motivation to keep pushing for more.”

The best Singaporean finish at the WAAP to date was achieved by Yoko Tai (tied 16th in 2021).

The WAAP offers life-changing opportunities to the winner, including exemptions into three Major championships in 2026 – the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes, the Amundi Evian Championship in France and the Chevron Championship in the United States.

The winner will also receive invitations to a handful of other elite championships such as the Hana Financial Group Championship, ISPS HANDA Women’s Australian Open, The 123rd Women’s Amateur Championship and the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

*The R&A and APGC are supported by championship event partners that share their commitment to developing golf in the Asia-Pacific. The WAAP championship is proudly supported by Rolex, ISPS Handa, Royal Wellington Golf Club, Samsung, Hana Financial Group, Nippon Kabaya Ohayo Holdings, Peter Millar, New Zealand Mercedes-Benz, Titleist and Tongariro as well as investment partners New Zealand Major Events and Wellington Council.