Yang Aiming to Emulate Jeeno’s Double Feat

Bogor, Indonesia: Yang Yun-seo will be aiming to emulate the world’s number one female golfer Atthaya ‘Jeeno’ Thitikul when she spearheads Korea’s bid to retain the Queen Sirikit Cup at Sentul Highlands Golf Club this week.

In what has already been a memorable year for Yang, the 18-year-old triumphed in the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) in New Zealand, tied for fourth in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and comfortably made the cut in The Chevron Championship, the LPGA Tour’s first Major of 2026.

At Sentul Highlands in what is the 46th edition of the Amateur Ladies Asia-Pacific Invitational Golf Team Championship, Yang’s latest goal is to become only the second player – after Thai Jeeno – to win the WAAP and the Queen Sirikit Cup’s low individual honours in the same year.

Jeeno achieved the feat in 2018.

At Singapore’s Sentosa Golf Club in February that year, Jeeno won a four-way play-off to write her name into the record books as the winner of the inaugural WAAP.

Three months later at Thana City Country Club in her home country, Jeeno topped the Queen Sirikit Cup standings in a world-class field that also included Yuka Saso, Yin Ruoning and Grace Kim, who have all gone on to win LPGA Tour Major titles.

With starts in two more LPGA Tour Majors ahead of her this year – the Evian Championship and the AIG Women’s Open – Yang is likely to retain her amateur status until the final quarter of 2026 when she’s planning to try her luck at the LPGA Tour Q-School.

All the more reason why she’s so keen to mark what will be her first and only Queen Sirikit Cup appearance by helping her country to a fourth successive triumph and a 16th win from the last 18 championships, having missed out only in 2013 and 2022.

This is the fourth occasion since the championship’s inauguration in 1979 that it’s been staged in Indonesia and the first time for 17 years.

Japan emerged victorious at Jakarta Golf Club in 1980 with Korea topping the standings in 1994 at Damai Indah Golf & Country Club and in 2009 at Bali Nirwana Golf Club.

KPH Japto S. Soerjosoemarno, President of the Indonesia Golf Association, said: “Hosting this prestigious championship in Indonesia is a privilege that reflects our nation’s commitment to advancing the sport of golf and fostering unity across the Asia-Pacific region.

“The Queen Sirikit Cup has, for decades, stood as a symbol of excellence and camaraderie. It is a tournament that not only showcases the remarkable talents of young women golfers, but also strengthens the bonds of friendship among nations. Through this event, we celebrate discipline, perseverance and the noble spirit of sportsmanship.”

Jeyson Pribadi, Commissioner at Sentul Highlands Golf Club, added: “Sentul Highlands Golf Club has long been committed to supporting the growth of golf, both nationally and internationally. Having previously served as a venue for the Asian Development Tour we remain dedicated to providing world-class facilities and experiences for athletes at every level. Our mission is to contribute to the development of the sport and to create opportunities for golfers to perform at their absolute best.”

Meanwhile, in his programme message, Dominic Wall, Regional Managing Director – Asia-Pacific, The R&A, paid tribute to Murdaya Poo, the past President of the Indonesia Golf Association, who passed away last year.

Wall said: “Pak Po was a great friend of The R&A and not only made a significant contribution to golf in Indonesia but was a prominent figure in the development of golf in the Asian region. He is greatly missed.”