Yang completes commanding coronation in Wellington
History made as fearless 18-year-old conquers wind and rivals to claim landmark title
Yunseo Yang mastered gusting southerly winds at Royal Wellington on 15 February 2026 to secure an eight-shot victory and become the first Korean winner of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship.
The 18-year-old closed with a three-under-par 69, the best score of a blustery final day, for a 16-under 272 total that matched the championship’s record winning margin and confirmed a wire-to-wire triumph.
“I’m very proud to be the first Korean winner. Having the opportunity to play in three major championships is an honour. I grew up watching the other golfers do well, especially the AIG Women’s Open,” said Yang.
Her decisive moment came at the short par-4 14th where she holed a 12-foot putt for eagle after driving the green as Soomin Oh ran up a double-bogey six, a four-shot swing that broke the contest.
Yang’s victory earns exemptions into the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes, The Amundi Evian Championship and the Chevron Championship, while the 2027 championship will be staged at Taiheiyo Club Minori Course in Japan from 22-25 April.