Yunseo Yang produced a composed and resilient display to retain her place at the summit after the third round of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship at Royal Wellington Golf Club, keeping Korea firmly in contention to end its long wait for a maiden title.
The 18-year-old navigated a testing afternoon with maturity beyond her years, signing for an even-par 72 to move to 13-under-par 203. She carries a two-shot advantage into the final round over compatriots Gyu Been Kim and Soomin Oh.
Yang’s round was a tale of two halves. Three-over after seven holes following missed short par putts and a double-bogey at the seventh, she appeared momentarily unsettled. However, a lengthy birdie conversion at the eighth sparked a decisive turnaround. She played the remaining 11 holes in three-under-par, adding further birdies at the 10th, 14th and 16th to reclaim control of the leaderboard.
A late bogey at the 18th did little to diminish the quality of her comeback. Notably, she also salvaged a remarkable par at the fourth, holing a 30-foot putt after finding water with her second shot, a moment that underlined her composure under pressure.
Reflecting on the round, Yang acknowledged the emotional swings but emphasized belief. She remained focused on resetting ahead of the final day, signaling a calm and professional approach to the task ahead.
Behind her, Kim briefly assumed the lead after moving to three-under through 10 holes. Despite birdies at the 12th and 16th, a costly four-putt at the final hole resulted in a double-bogey seven and a round of 71, leaving her two shots adrift.
Oh, last year’s runner-up, delivered one of the standout performances of the day with a five-under-par 67. Her approach at the par-5 10th, a seven-wood from 218 yards finished inches short of an albatross, earning widespread admiration and lifting her firmly into contention.
The Philippines’ Rianne Malixi, the reigning 2024 US Women’s Amateur champion, endured a frustrating day on the greens. Despite striking the ball well, she remained birdie-less through 13 holes and posted a 73 to sit fourth at nine-under 207. A double-bogey at the second after an out-of-bounds tee shot proved costly, yet she remains within striking distance.
Korea’s Seojin Park produced the round of the day, an eight-birdie 66, to climb into fifth place at 208. Hong Kong, China’s Arianna Lau follows one stroke further back in sixth.
Blustery south-westerly winds ensured precision and ball control were paramount. Only six players among the 50 who made the cut managed to break 70, underscoring the stern examination presented by Royal Wellington.
For Korea, the stakes extend beyond individual glory. Despite several near-misses including runner-up finishes by Minsol Kim in 2023 and Hyosong Lee in 2024, the nation is yet to secure the championship. Yang now stands on the brink of rewriting that narrative.
Further down the leaderboard, defending champion Jeneath Wong of Malaysia recorded the only bogey-free round of the day, a disciplined effort featuring 17 greens in regulation and a 68 that moves her to tied 17th.
The event, developed by The R&A and the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation, continues to serve as a premier pathway for elite amateur talent. The 2026 champion will earn exemptions into three major championships: the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes, The Amundi Evian Championship in France, and The Chevron Championship in the United States.
With one round remaining, the championship remains finely poised. Yang holds the advantage, but the margin is narrow. Sunday at Royal Wellington promises a compelling conclusion and potentially a historic breakthrough for Korean amateur golf.
About the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship
The Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship has been developed by the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) and The R&A to nurture talent and provide a pathway for the region’s elite women amateurs to the international stage and the opportunity to play in three major championships.
The eighth edition of the region’s premier women’s championship will be played at Royal Wellington in New Zealand from 12-15 February 2026. The 2026 WAAP champion will earn starts in the AIG Women’s Open, The Amundi Evian Championship and The Chevron Championship as well as the Hana Financial Group Championship, ISPS Handa Australian Open, The 123rd Women’s Amateur Championship and an invitation to play in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA).
The R&A and APGC are supported by championship event partners that share their commitment to developing golf in the Asia-Pacific. The Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship is proudly supported by Rolex, ISPS Handa, Royal Wellington Golf Club, Samsung, Hana Financial Group, Nippon Kabaya Ohayo Holdings, Peter Millar, Titleist, Sparms, New Zealand Mercedes-Benz and Tongariro, as well as investment partners New Zealand Major Events and Wellington Council and host association Golf New Zealand.
About The R&A
The R&A group of companies was formed in 2004 to take on The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews’ responsibilities for governing the Rules of Golf, staging The Open, golf’s original championship, and developing the sport. The R&A World Golf Museum in St Andrews is part of The R&A group.
Together The R&A and the USGA govern the sport of golf worldwide, operating in separate jurisdictions with a commitment to a single code for the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status and Equipment Standards. The R&A, through R&A Rules Ltd, governs the sport worldwide, outside of the United States and Mexico, on behalf of over 108 million golfers in 149 countries and with the consent of 169 organizations from amateur and professional golf.
The R&A has responsibility for running a series of world class amateur events and international matches in women’s and girls’ as well as men’s and boys’ golf. The R&A stages the AIG Women’s Open and works with the DP World Tour to stage the ISPS HANDA Senior Open.
The R&A is committed to investing £200 million over ten years in developing golf and supports the growth of the sport internationally, including the development and management of sustainable golf facilities
