Malaysia celebrates victory as Overall Team Champion of the 31st WAGC World Final 2026. The heroes from left to right – Ahmad Hakim Sabri, Nordin Yahaya, Nuralif Mohd Zahari, Azhari Yusof, Cheah Chin Lye and Jeffrey Loh
Malaysia reclaimed the overall team title at the 31st World Amateur Golfers Championship (WAGC) World Final 2026, finishing ahead of Thailand and Indonesia in Desaru Coast, Johor.
The host nation topped the standings with a combined 1,405 strokes, with Thailand second on 1,416 and Indonesia third on 1,451, ending China’s reign as defending champions.
The victory marked a strong showing by the Malaysian team, which combined consistency and teamwork to bring the prestigious title back to Malaysia.
The final results were announced at the WAGC World Final 2026 Gala Dinner and Awards Presentation, held at the Desaru Coast Conference Centre on October 30.
Liverpool legend Jerzy Dudek receives an award for achieving the only Albatross at the WAGC World Final 2026.
Malaysia also achieved success in several individual categories, with Azhari Yusof winning WAGC Division C, Ahmad Hakim taking Division D, Roslan Ismail claiming WAGI Division C, and Jeniss Chan winning WAGI Division F. Akmal Aiman Mohd Fauzi also emerged as champion in the All Streams Men’s Gross category.
Another highlight came in the Mixed Pairs Team category, where Malaysia’s DNAGS, represented by the father-and-daughter duo Fazel Naghshineh and Tara Naghshineh, claimed the title with a nett score of 733.
Austria’s Team Friends won the WAGI Pair Team category with a nett score of 698, ahead of the Philippines’ LeadsAgriPH (705 nett) and Summit Pt PH (706 nett).
Former Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek also received special recognition for recording the tournament’s only albatross.
Team Spain, comprising 42 participants, received the TUMBA Spirit Award from Johan Tumba in recognition of their outstanding team spirit, camaraderie and sportsmanship throughout the WAGC World Final 2026.
Meanwhile, Spain received the TUMBA Spirit Award, presented by WAGC Vice President Johan Tumba, in recognition of the team’s sportsmanship, camaraderie and enthusiastic participation.
At the gala dinner, Tourism Malaysia’s Director of the Package Development Division, Puan Zuraini Abdul Ghani, said the championship provided an important platform for promoting Malaysia as an international golf tourism destination.
She noted that the event attracted more than 600 participants from 48 countries, making it the largest gathering in the championship’s 31-year history. Malaysia has more than 200 golf courses nationwide, offering international visitors a wide range of golfing and tourism experiences.
She also acknowledged Delta World’s continued commitment to bringing the WAGC World Final to Malaysia for the fifth time, and highlighted the role of golf tourism in supporting the Visit Malaysia 2026–2027 campaign.
The evening also saw Vietnam announced as host of the 32nd WAGC World Final in 2027. WAGC President Isac Saminathan thanked Tourism Malaysia, Tourism Johor, the Johor Golf Tourism Association (JGTA), organisers, partners and participants for their support.
Distinguished guests presenting the commemorative hand-painted batik artwork to the Vietnamese representatives during the WAGC World Final 2026 Gala Dinner.
A ceremonial handover of the WAGC flag to the Vietnamese delegation marked the transition to next year’s championship. The occasion was also celebrated with a hand- painted batik artwork created collectively by participants during the Festival Village activities.
Held from October 23 to 30, the championship brought together golfers from 48 countries, competing across five courses at three venues: The Els Club Desaru Coast’s Ocean and Valley courses, Forest City Golf Resort’s Classic and Legacy courses, and Tanjong Puteri Golf Resort.
Co-organised by JGTA and Delta World, with the support of Tourism Malaysia and Tourism Johor, the event showcased Johor’s golf facilities and tourism offerings while strengthening its position as an international golf tourism destination in conjunction with Visit Johor Year 2026.
