Indonesian Laksono Inspired by Jeeno's Glowing Example

Jakarta, Indonesia: Bianca Naomi Laksono will be striving to follow the example of world number one Atthaya ‘Jeeno’ Thitikul when she makes her Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) championship debut in 2026.

Laksono will be Indonesia’s sole representative in the eighth edition of the region’s pre-eminent amateur championship, scheduled to take place at Royal Wellington Golf Club in New Zealand from February 12-15. 

“This will be my first time playing in the WAAP, and I am very excited,” said Laksono, who finished 2025 in 387th place in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), second among Indonesian females. She aims to use the WAAP opportunity to accelerate her blossoming golf career.

“It is a great opportunity to compete at a high level and gain valuable experience. I have always wanted to play in this tournament. In my opinion, the WAAP has had a strong impact on women’s golf in Indonesia. The level of competition is very high with many top-ranked players, and it motivates Indonesian golfers to work harder and raise our standard,” added Laksono, who represented her country this year in the Queen Sirikit Cup, the Santi Cup and the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

Eighty-three players from 28 countries are set to contest the championship which was developed by the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) and The R&A to nurture talent and provide a pathway for the region’s elite women amateurs to the international stage. 

A total of 13 players from the top-50 of the WAGR and 26 from the top-100, including Korean Oh Soo-min, the world number 12, and Rianne Malixi of the Philippines, world number 17, will headline the 2026 edition alongside defending champion Jeneath Wong of Malaysia.

Thailand’s Jeeno won the inaugural WAAP in 2018 and has gone on to establish herself in the upper echeclons of women’s professional golf. Laksono is inspired to follow in her footsteps.

Laksono, aged 20, said: “I watched her (Jeeno) when she was still an amateur, especially when she played at the Asian Games in Indonesia (in 2018). She inspired me to learn more about the game and to strive to become a better golfer. 

“It would be truly fantastic and historic if an Indonesian golfer could win this tournament. It would be a huge achievement for Indonesian golf. I want to make it a pathway for my future career. As I am still in university, my priority is to complete my education, and then see what opportunities lie ahead.”

To date, the best finish by an Indonesian in the WAAP was achieved by Ida Ayu Indira Melati Putri, who tied 11th 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.