Mizuki Hashimoto kept the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) title in Japan with a one-stroke victory in the third edition of the prestigious championship, which concluded today at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
Hashimoto shot a fourth successive 68 to finish on a 16-under-par 272 and emulate compatriot Yuka Yasuda, who lifted the trophy when the championship was last played in 2019. The Thai duo of Kan Bunnabodee (66) and overnight leader Natthakritta Vongtaveelap (72), along with Australia’s Kelsey Bennett (68), were tied second on 15-under-par. Another Japanese player, Nagano Inagaki (68), finished fifth on 13-under-par.
Malaysia’s Ashley Lau closed her campaign with a round of 70 to claim outright sixth place, which is the best ever Malaysian performance in the event since its inception in 2018. The University of Michigan senior birdied the par-five closing hole at Abu Dhabi Golf Club for a total of 12-under-par total 276 (69-69-68-70), one shot ahead of two South Koreans – Youmin Hwang, the No 1 player in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), and Minsun Kim. The previous best Malaysian finish in the WAAP was T12, recorded by Ashley as well in the 2019 championship in Japan.
Ashley Lau (Photo by Paul Lakatos/R&A via Getty Images)
Malaysia’s top-ranked amateur Natasha Andrea Oon also had an excellent campaign with a T11 finish on seven-under-par 281 (69-70-70-72). It was a solid outing for the Malaysian squad with Liyana Durisic placing T25 on three-under-par, Audrey Tan T31 on one-under-par, and Winnie Ng T43 on six-over-par. Teenager Foong Zi Yu had earlier missed the 36-hole cut.
Apart from the beautiful trophy, the 19-year-old Hashimoto secured major championship places in next year’s AIG Women’s Open and the Amundi Evian Championship, as well as the Hana Financial Group Championship and an invitation to play in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
“I have always seen these tournaments on the television. To be able to play in them is like a dream-come-true for me,” said Hashimoto, ranked 121 in the WAGR.
“I am unable to say any words right now. I feel so happy to win this championship. I would like to say a big thank you to my teammates and everyone who supported me all week.”
The WAAP was developed by The R&A and APGC to unearth emerging talent and provide a pathway for Asia’s elite women amateurs to the international stage. The inaugural championship at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore in 2018 was won by Thailand’s Atthaya Thitikul, while the second edition saw Japan’s Yuka Yasuda triumphing on home soil in 2019.
This year’s WAAP is supported by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Hana Financial Group, Nippon Kabaya Ohayo Holdings, Rolex, Samsung and Trust Golf.
For more information, visit randa.org/WAAP.
