Korean Yang Surges Clear at Royal Wellington

Back-nine brilliance delivers statement 64 as contenders gather

Korean teenager Yunseo Yang fired a bogey-free eight-under-par 64 on February 12 at Royal Wellington Golf Club to seize the first-round lead at the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship in Wellington, New Zealand.

Two-under at the turn, the 18-year-old ignited her inward nine with six birdies to set the early pace on a day of light breezes and receptive greens, with 32 of the 84-player field posting par or better.

“Even after finishing the round, I reminded myself that it’s only the first day. I plan to focus on each day as it comes. I’ll concentrate on what’s in front of me. If I do that, I think good results will follow,” said Yang.

Hong Kong, China’s Arianna Lau sits alone in second, one shot adrift, after a composed display that featured four back-nine birdies. “I was very consistent and gave myself a lot of chances, but I didn’t expect to score so well. I just tried to stick to my gameplan,” she said.

Korea’s Seojin Park is third, with Rianne Malixi of the Philippines and Australia’s Jazy Roberts sharing fourth on 68. Malixi, who opened with an eagle-three after pitching in from 35 yards, warned: “I think the course is really gettable… I know it’s going to get really difficult once the wind blows.”