Yang Savours Historic Win at Women's Amateur Asia-Pacific

Wellington, New Zealand: Yang Yun-seo repelled the challenge of compatriot Oh Soo-min to write her name into the record books as the first Korean winner of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP).

Coping admirably with gusting southerly winds that blew many players off course, 18-year-old Yang closed with a three-under-par 69 at Royal Wellington, the best round of a day that saw just three-sub-par returns.

With a 72-hole aggregate of 16-under 272, Yang ended eight strokes clear of Oh, matching the WAAP’s record winning margin set by Japan’s Yuka Yasuda in 2019. She's also the first player to win the championship having held the solo lead after all four rounds.

Thanks to her success, Yang has earned 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 – as well as a handful of elite amateur events.

In winning, Yang ended Korea’s victory drought in the region’s pre-eminent women’s amateur championship. Previously, Kim Min-sol (2023), Lee Hyo-song (2024) and Oh last year all had to settle for second place.

After holing out in driving rain on the 18th green, Yang raised her arms in a rare show of emotion before being warmly embraced by Oh and their Korean team-mates.

Yang, who tied for fourth in last year’s WAAP in Vietnam, said: “I came into the championship knowing there were no Korean winners before. So, I was motivated to win this. I’m happy with this achievement.”

Despite the conclusive final margin, victory was hard-earned for Yang, who began the week in 44th place in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).

After holing a 10-footer to save par at the 13th and stay two shots ahead of Oh, it was the short par-four 14th which proved pivotal with a decisive four-shot swing in Yang’s favour.

While Yang holed a 12-footer for an eagle-two after driving the green, Oh ran-up a double-bogey six, pulling her tee shot out of bounds. From that point, with weather conditions deteriorating, Yang was able to coast home, adding gloss with her fourth birdie of the day at the short 16th.

Modest and composed – on and off the course – Yang laid the foundations for her triumph with a stunning opening-day, bogey-free eight-under 64. It was a lead she would not squander. A 67 on day two extended her advantage at the half-way stage to three. An even-par 72 on Saturday meant she led by two going into the final day.

Of her final-round strategy, Yang said: “The bad weather today was anticipated. The winds started getting stronger from yesterday, so I was getting prepared for that. I was playing a bit defensively, not trying to be too aggressive, aiming for pars rather than birdies to protect my score.

“I’m really happy to finish off strongly even though the weather wasn’t the best. I’m also very proud to lead over four days. I’m very honoured to be able to participate in three Majors. It’ll be a great experience.”

For Oh and Rianne Malixi of the Philippines it was a case of more WAAP heartbreak.

Oh, who had to settle for runners-up spot for the second year in succession, reduced the overnight deficit to one with a scrambling par at the first hole and drew level when she made a birdie-two at the eighth. But Yang’s two-stroke advantage was restored immediately when she holed a six-footer for birdie following a brilliant approach at the ninth hole while Oh made bogey.

Reflecting on another close WAAP call for her, Oh, the highest ranked player in the field at 11th in the WAGR, said: “I had a great experience in New Zealand. It was a windy day. I have a lot of regrets, but I will use it as a driving force for my future growth.”

Malixi tied for third with Australian Jazy Roberts on six-under 282. The 2024 US Women’s Amateur champion is the first player to have three top-five finishes to her name in the WAAP.

Malixi said: “The bad weather finally showed its teeth today. Even though I was far back heading into the last round, there’s always a chance. But I didn't capitalise, especially with how I was struggling with my putting. I never really gave myself a chance.

“This tournament is a major for me. It’s always an honour to play in the WAAP. It sucks that I couldn’t get a win, but I’m looking forward to what’s in store with the upcoming season.”

Kim Gyu-been, who played alongside her compatriots Yang and Oh in the final flight, fell out of contention with double-bogeys at the seventh and ninth. She signed off with an 81 and had to settle for joint ninth place on 286.

Jeneath Wong put up a staunch title defence, ending tied 16th on one-over 289. The Malaysian said: “I have a really special place for this tournament and, as defending champion, I didn't put too much pressure on myself this week. With the winds being very gusty today, I thought it was a lot of fun.”

The distinction of finishing as leading New Zealander went to Darae Chung, who signed off with a 76, securing her 22nd place on five-over 293. That was one shot in front of top-ranked Kiwi Eunseo Choi and four ahead of Teresa Wang.

Chung said: “A lot of Kiwis made the cut this week so to be the top New Zealander is a great honour. It was a huge challenge with the wind today, but I had a lot of fun.

“There were a lot of junior girls out there, and that was encouraging to see. It's really great we've been able to have this tournament, especially for women's golf and the growth for young girls. I hope we were able to display some great golf for them to be inspired and start playing.”