The sister act of Yu-Chiang Hou and Yu-Sang Hou will lead the Chinese Taipei challenge in the third edition of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP), which tees off next week (February 12-15) at Siam Country Club’s Waterside Course in Pattaya, Thailand.
Aged 19, Yu-Chiang is the younger of the Hou sisters and enters the prestigious championship as the highest-ranked player in the field at number two on the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR). The in-form Yu-Chiang finished runner-up at the start of the month in the Taiwan LPGA’s Hitachi Ladies Classic and has already won an impressive three professional titles – two on the Taiwan LPGA Tour and one on the China LPGA Tour.
Following her elder sister into the University of Arizona Wildcats team, Yu-Chiang was named Pac-12 Golfer of the Month in her first month of college last year.
“I am very excited about the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific and I am looking forward to having a good week in Pattaya,” said Yu-Chiang, who finished tied 29th in the inaugural WAAP in Singapore and tied 17th last year when the championship was held in Japan.
“The WAAP is the biggest championship we play in the region and there are some excellent opportunities for
the champion. I have always dreamed of playing in major championships and trying to get there through the
WAAP is my goal.
“I feel like I am a much-improved player this year and I have a lot of confidence and belief in my own
abilities. Obviously, we will be playing against some of the finest players in the Asia-Pacific region and I will
have to produce my best effort to make my dream come true.”
Elder sister Yu-Sang, 20, also knows what it takes to win having recorded victories last year in the American college system, as well as against the professionals on the Taiwan LPGA, to be ranked 31st in the WAGR.
“It’s always great when we are playing the same tournament. We are able to help each other on the golf course,” said Yu-Sang, who finished tied 24th and tied 28th in the first two editions of WAAP.
“Yu-Chiang has a very good short game and I am pretty good off the tee so we complement each other. And when we are off the golf course, it’s always good to have a fun company like her to relax.”
Siam Country Club Waterside
Chinese Taipei will also be represented by 16-year-old Chia Yen Wu, the world number 27 who created history in the 2017 US Women’s Amateur when she won her marathon quarter-final match against American Lauren Stephenson after 12 extra holes. Wu became the youngest semi-finalist following the longest match in the championship’s history.
With three players inside the top-35 of the WAGR, Chinese Taipei will have the strongest team in this year’s WAAP. The other players are Ya-Chun Chang, Ting Yu Chen and Yu Tien Kuo.
The 2020 champion will earn starts in two Major championships; the AIG Women’s British Open and The Evian Championship, as well as the Hana Financial Group Championship and a further three championships around the world.
The WAAP was developed by The R&A and the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) to unearth developing talent and provide a pathway for Asia’s elite women amateurs to emerge on the international stage. It is expected that 80 players from 19 Asia-Pacific countries will feature, with Thailand having the largest contingent of eight as the host nation, including world No 18 Jaravee Boonchant.
Malaysia will be represented by six players, namely Natasha Andrea Oon, Loy Hee Ying, Mirabel Ting, Jocelyn Chee, Winnie Ng and Jeneath Wong.
Entry to the championship is free of charge. For more information, log on to www.randa.org/WAAP
