WELLINGTON - Yang Yunseo became the first Korean champion at the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific on Sunday after capping an emphatic eight-stroke victory with a three-under-par 69 at Royal Wellington Golf Club.
The 18-year-old Yang became the third golfer after Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand (2018) and Chinese Taipei’s Wu Chun-wei (2024) to complete a wire-to-wire triumph with her 16-under 272 aggregate. She also equalled the championship record for biggest margin of victory held by Yuka Yasuda of Japan (2019).
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Rianne Malixi finished tied third for her third top-5 finish in the prestigious championship after closing with a 75. She ended 10 shots back of the new champion in the eighth edition of the WAAP.
Under blustery and testing conditions, Yang was at her composed best to fire the day’s lowest round as she held off last year’s runner-up and fellow Korean, Oh Soomin, who shot a 75. Oh started the day just two back and went toe-to-toe with Yang for much of the final round until the pivotal 14th hole, where she double bogeyed while Yang knocked in a glorious eagle to eventually cruise to a commanding victory.
“I came into the championship knowing there were no Korean winners before. 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” said a jubilant Yang, who finished fourth in her WAAP debut in Vietnam last year.
Yang’s achievement was impressive as she had slept with the overnight lead from day one after shooting a stunning 64 on Thursday, and she produced some marvelous golf in a difficult final round to cement her place in WAAP history.
“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,” said Yang, who earned invitations to the AIG Women’s Open, Amundi Evian Championship and Chevron Championship along with starts in several other elite amateur championships.
The 18-year-old Malixi could not narrow the gap on the leader after starting the final round four strokes back. Under gusty conditions, an outward 39 which featured one birdie, two bogeys and a double bogey saw her fighting for a top-3 finish at the end.
“We got like bad weather … finally showed its teeth, so it was really struggling today. I hit a lot of good low shots, couple of bad ones. Putting was also a struggle. I couldn't get any of my putts to drop,” said Rianne, the 2024 U.S. Women’s Amateur champion.
The highlight for Rianne’s day was an eagle on 10 where she converted a lengthy putt following a wonderful hybrid approach from 215 yards out. But she knew by then her chance of trying to become the first Filipina golfer to win the WAAP was over.
“I was like far back heading into the last round, and there is always like a chance, but I didn't really capitalize today,” said Rianne, who spent much of 2025 on the sidelines with a back injury.
“I'm glad to be playing in a really good event since the past year and a half maybe since my injury. I'm happy and grateful. I'm looking forward for what's in store for me. It sucks I couldn't really back a win, but I'm looking forward to the upcoming season.”
The WAAP was developed by The R&A and the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) to nurture talent and provide a pathway for the region’s elite women amateurs to the international stage and the rewards on offer are significant. The champion will earn 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 Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship is supported by Rolex, ISPS Handa, Royal Wellington Golf Club, Samsung, Hana Financial Group, Nippon Kabaya Ohayo Holdings, Peter Millar, Titleist, Sparms, New Zealand Mercedes-Benz and Tongariro, as well as investment partners New Zealand Major Events and Wellington Council and host association Golf New Zealand.
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