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Yang conquers Wellington winds to win Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship
David Bieleski • February 15th, 2026 6:04 pm
Photo: Daniel Pockett/R&A
Korea’s Yunseo Yang has claimed the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship (WAAP) at Royal Wellington Golf Club.
A strong Korean contingent headlined the leaderboard entering the final round, with four of the top five hailing from the nation heading into Sunday, resulting in an all-Korean final group of Yang, Soomin Oh, and Gyu Been Kim.
It was a tumultuous third round for the 18-year-old Yang, who played her opening seven holes in three-over before fighting back to play her final 11 holes in three-under.
Soomin Oh, runner-up in last year’s WAAP and the highest-ranked player in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) entering the event, would emerge as her strongest contender.
She hit arguably the shot of the tournament on Saturday - a seven-wood from 218 yards at the par-5 10th that came within millimetres of dropping for a rare albatross. Her five-under 67 was the second-lowest round of moving day, leaving Yang with a three-shot lead entering the final round.
Oh ensured Yang would not have it all her own way on Sunday, drawing level with 10 holes to play.
Photo by Daniel Pockett/R&A
After a bogey on the par-3 8th, Yang surrendered a two-shot swing as Oh’s birdie putt found the bottom of the cup. But Yang responded immediately, earning a two-shot swing of her own at the 9th to take a two-shot lead into the back nine.
Royal Wellington proved a sterner test on Sunday, with wind gusts reaching 90 km/h, creating a brutal examination that went beyond the natural nerves of competing for one of the pre-eminent titles in women’s amateur golf.
But Yang was ready for everything Wellington had to offer.
“The bad weather today was anticipated from the first day, and the winds started getting stronger from yesterday, so I was getting prepared for that," Yang said.
“I was playing a bit defensively, not trying to be too aggressive, aiming for pars rather than birdies to protect my score.”
Just two players finished under par in the final round, including WAAP champion Yang, who posted the low round of the day with a three-under 69 as winds and rain buffeted the course.
The fate of the tournament was effectively decided on the 14th hole. After a 230-yard drive down the middle, and with the hole playing downwind, her second shot bounded onto the green. A sensational 12-foot eagle putt from Yang, coupled with a double-bogey from Oh, produced a stunning four-shot swing.
That suddenly gave Yang a six-shot cushion entering the closing stretch - an insurmountable lead that turned the final four holes into something of a victory lap for the young Korean.
Photo: Daniel Pockett/R&A
It was heartbreak again for the 17-year-old Oh, who came agonisingly close to claiming the WAAP for a second straight year. Instead, Yang emerged victorious, becoming the first Korean to win the prestigious championship.
Yang entered 2026 in red-hot form, having won her final three starts of 2025 - the National Sports Festival in Korea, the 121st Malaysian Amateur Open, and the UAE Cup. She carried that momentum into the new season, opening with an impressive first-round 64 and holding on for a wire-to-wire victory.
Her eight-shot victory tied the largest winning margin in WAAP history for the championship, matching LPGA Japan golfer Yuka Yasuda’s 2019 triumph over current world number one Jeeno Thitikul.
With her win, Yang earned entry into some of the highest-profile events in the women’s game. That includes three major championships - the Women’s Open, the Evian Championship, and the Chevron Championship - along with several other elite tournaments, including the 123rd Women’s Amateur Championship and the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
“I was planning to turn pro this summer, but by winning this tournament there might be slight changes in my plan,” Yang said.
“I'm very honored to have opportunity to participate in the three major tournaments, especially as I grew up watching the other golfers do well, especially AIG (the Women's Open). I'm very honored to have this opportunity.”
Yang even went as far as naming one of New Zealand’s own as the player she is most looking forward to competing against.
“I have always been amazed at how well Lydia Ko plays and I am really looking forward to playing with her.”
Among the 11-strong New Zealand contingent aiming to mount a charge at the title, 21-year-old Darae Chung finished as the leading Kiwi in 22nd.
Darae Chung | Photo by Daniel Pockett/R&A
“It was a huge challenge with the wind and being so tired from the last three days,” Chung said. “But I just tried to go through my process and stay level-headed with my caddie.”
Chung’s home club is Shandon Golf Club, just 20 minutes from this week’s host venue, Royal Wellington. Playing in front of a home crowd added a special layer to the week - something Chung clearly relished.
“It’s so awesome. It feels so different because I know everyone’s face,” Chung said. “To be the top New Zealander is a great honour.”
She also hopes the tournament leaves a lasting mark on the next generation of Kiwi golfers.
“There were a lot of junior girls out there, which was encouraging to see. I think 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.”
One of the next generation of Kiwi golfing talents may have already been out on the course, as thirteen-year-old Elise Barber made the cut before finishing in a tie for 44th place. After rounds of 72-77-71, her final-round 83 was entirely forgivable given the tough conditions and her age.
Elise Barber | Photo: Hagen Hopkins/R&A
“Extremely tough,” Barber said. “The conditions combined with the pin placements, especially on the long par-4s into the wind. It was really tough for me to reach the greens, even with a wood in my hands, then trying to get up and down.”
It was a week full of positives for the youngest golfer in the field, who embraced the challenge and the lessons that came with competing against the region’s best.
“It’s definitely been such a great week,” she said. “I would love to inspire younger juniors to come out like I did this week. If I could try to get through next year, I would definitely give it a go.”
In a bumper period for New Zealand golf, the 2025/26 Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia season begins its 'New Zealand Swing' this Thursday.
The NZ PGA Championship will be contested this week at the spiritual home of golf in the country, Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club. The Top 100-ranked Championship Course has hosted the New Zealand Open 12 times, including when the field famously featured Tiger Woods in 2002.
Paraparaumu Beach also previously staged the NZ PGA Championship in 1959, and it will be the first professional tournament hosted at the fabled links course in 24 years. Entry to the NZ PGA Championship is free.
Following the New Zealand PGA Championship, the 105th New Zealand Open will be played from February 26 to March 1 at Millbrook Resort in Queenstown. Kiwi golfers Ben Campbell, Steven Alker, Daniel Hillier, and Kazuma Kobori are already confirmed, along with LIV Golf’s Lucas Herbert.
Another prestigious amateur championship will return to New Zealand later this year. The 17th Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship will be staged in the country for just the second time, making its debut at Te Arai Links’ South Course from October 29 to November 1, 2026.
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