Wellington, New Zealand – South Korea’s Yunseo Yang etched her name in golfing history this weekend, securing a dominant victory at the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship held at Royal Wellington Golf Club. The 18-year-old finished with an impressive 16-under-par total, winning by a remarkable eight strokes and earning coveted spots in three major championships in 2026: the AIG Women’s Open, the Amundi Evian Championship, and the Chevron Championship. Meanwhile, across the Pacific, New Zealander Ryan Fox is making a strong push at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, positioning himself for a potential top finish in the first of the PGA Tour’s $33 million signature events.
Yang’s wire-to-wire win was punctuated by a final-round 69 despite challenging gusting winds. Her performance matched the WAAP record winning margin set by Japan’s Yuka Yasuda in 2019. “I’m very proud to be the first Korean winner,” Yang stated, according to the R&A. “Having the opportunity to play in three major championships is an honour.” Compatriot Soomin Oh finished second at eight-under, repeating her runner-up finish from the previous year. Australia’s Jazy Roberts and Rianne Malixi of the Philippines tied for third at six-under, with Malixi achieving her third top-five finish in the championship.
The championship also highlighted emerging Kiwi talent. Darae Chung finished as the leading New Zealander, securing 22nd place on five-over 293, one shot ahead of Eunseo Choi and four ahead of Teresa Wang. Thirteen-year-old Elise Barber, the youngest competitor in the field, faced a tougher final day, carding an 11-over par round to finish at 15-over and tied for 44th.
Fox in Contention at Pebble Beach
At Pebble Beach Golf Links in California, Ryan Fox is well-placed to contend for the title at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am. The Aucklander fired a third-round 69, building on a strong start with three birdies on the opening nine holes. A bogey at the 10th was offset by a birdie on the par-five 14th, resulting in a three-under round. Fox currently sits in a tie for 22nd place at 11-under par, eight shots behind leader Akshay Bhatia of the USA. NZ Herald reports that Fox will play alongside Americans Harris English and Max Greyserman in the final round.
The leaderboard is tightly packed, with two-time major winner Collin Morikawa surging into contention after a stunning 10-under 62, placing him two shots behind Bhatia. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is also at 11-under par, alongside Fox. The $33 million signature event promises a thrilling finish.
Campbell Finishes Strong on LIV Tour
Further afield, Kiwi golfer Ben Campbell concluded a solid performance at the LIV Golf Adelaide event. Campbell finished tied for 17th place, 11 strokes behind winner Anthony Kim. While details of his final round were not immediately available, his overall performance demonstrates the growing strength of New Zealand golfers on the international stage.
The Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship continues to be a breeding ground for future stars, as evidenced by Yang’s impressive victory and her pathway to major championships. The performance of young New Zealand players like Barber also signals a promising future for golf in the country.
As the final round of the Pebble Beach Pro-Am unfolds, all eyes will be on Akshay Bhatia as he attempts to hold onto his lead, while Ryan Fox and other contenders will be looking to capitalize on any opportunities. The tournament promises a captivating conclusion to a weekend of compelling golf action.
What do you think – can Ryan Fox mount a final-round charge at Pebble Beach? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
