Young talent to gather in Wellington
Asia-Pacific’s finest amateurs chase opportunity on New Zealand soil
The Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship returns in February as 84 of the region’s leading amateurs from 28 countries converge on Royal Wellington, with the titleholder and a deep international field set to contest one of amateur golf’s most prized trophies.
Malaysia’s Jeneath Wong arrives as defending champion after her breakthrough victory in Vietnam, leading a field that includes 13 players inside the world’s top 50 and 26 from the top 100 of the World Amateur Golf Ranking. Among them are Republic of Korea standout Soomin Oh, last year’s runner-up, and the Philippines’ Rianne Malixi, still only 18 and already a familiar presence in the championship.
For Malixi, a record sixth appearance underlines both consistency and ambition, while New Zealand’s Vivian Lu, Singapore’s Inez Ng and Cook Islands player Rotana Howard also reach that milestone, Howard returning after a year away following the birth of her first child. The home challenge is bolstered by a record nine Kiwis, with Eunseo Choi the highest ranked and Royal Wellington member Darae Chung set to enjoy strong local support.
“I’m really excited and grateful for the opportunity to defend my title at Royal Wellington,” Wong said. “Any chance to return as a defending champion is special, and doing it at such a well-respected venue makes it even more meaningful.” Oh, whose motivation remains clear, added: “My goal is to win. I finished as the runner-up last year so my desire to win is even stronger this time.”
Depth across the region shapes the narrative. Korea fields six players, Japan arrives with five inside the world’s top 100, and Thailand is led by Achiraya Sriwong alongside seven-time 2025 winner Prim Prachnakorn. From established contenders to first-time representatives from Fiji and Mongolia, the championship reflects both competitive strength and widening reach.
The reward is significant. The winner earns exemptions into the AIG Women’s Open, the Amundi Evian Championship and the Chevron Championship, alongside invitations to several elite amateur and professional events. For many in Wellington, the week represents more than a title; it is a gateway, and a reminder that on this stage, tomorrow’s stars are already in plain view.