Emerging talent gathers in Wellington
Asia-Pacific’s next generation tests itself on one of New Zealand’s grand stages
The Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship will place the region’s emerging female talent under the spotlight when the championship is played at Royal Wellington Golf Club from 12–15 February, bringing together 84 players from 26 nations.
The field reflects the ambition and depth of women’s amateur golf across Asia-Pacific, with players arriving in New Zealand carrying recent form, international experience and the clear incentive of major championship exemptions awaiting the winner.
Singapore’s Xingtong Chen returns for a fifth appearance, continuing a steady WAAP journey that has included becoming the first Singaporean to reach the final of the US Girls’ Junior Championship. Chen said the chance to repeatedly test herself against elite opposition has been central to her development, adding that recent exposure to the course through the WAAP Academy has been valuable preparation.
China arrives with momentum built on success on the CLPG Tour. Sixteen-year-old Yijia Ren made history last week by becoming the first amateur to win four times on China’s domestic professional tour, while Yujie Liu brings confidence from her breakthrough victory last August. Alongside Shiyuan Zhou, Tong An and Menghan Li, China’s strength is underlined by three players ranked inside the world top 50.
Elsewhere, Indonesia’s Bianca Naomi Laksono makes her championship debut, inspired by the rise of inaugural champion Jeeno Thitikul, while Vietnam’s Le An Chuc arrives as her country’s highest-ranked female amateur following her strongest WAAP finish last year. Australia, meanwhile, is led by Raegan Denton, fresh from winning the Australian Master of the Amateurs, supported by a confident and experienced group that includes Ella Scaysbrook and Jazy Roberts.
Developed by The R&A and the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation, the championship continues to provide a pathway to the international stage, with the champion earning exemptions into the AIG Women’s Open, The Amundi Evian Championship and the Chevron Championship in 2026.