Malaysian golfer Jeneath Wong delivered a standout performance on the opening day of the seventh edition of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) championship at Hoiana Shores Golf Club in Vietnam. Facing challenging conditions, Wong carded a six-under-par 65, securing a share of second place alongside four other players.
Her round, highlighted by a flawless performance with no bogeys and a strong finish—picking up shots on each of the last three holes as she played in the late afternoon when gusty winds made the links-style course particularly demanding.
“Yeah, I’m definitely really happy how I played today. The wind started to pick up really hard towards the end, but I managed to get three birdies and that’s pretty good,” said the junior from Pepperdine University.
Wong’s 65 placed her just one shot behind the leader, Korean Seo Jin Park, and marked her as a contender in a field of 93 players from 24 countries. As one of only a handful of players to avoid dropping a stroke, alongside Australia’s Lion Higo, Japan’s Anna Iwanaga, and compatriot Jazy Roberts, Wong’s performance was especially commendable given the tougher conditions faced by the afternoon wave.
Her effort positions her as Malaysia’s strongest hope to become the first player from Malaysia to claim the prestigious WAAP title, which offers its winner opportunities on the global stage.
Seo Jin Park of the Republic of Korea leads after the first round
At the top of the leaderboard, 17-year-old Korean Seo Jin Park defied the windy conditions to post an impressive seven-under-par 64. With six birdies and an eagle offset by a lone bogey on her final hole, the ninth, Park expressed her delight at taking the lead.
“I’m so happy and proud of myself. I didn’t expect to be leading,” said the Korean national team member, who is ranked 281st in the World Amateur Golf Ranking® (WAGR®)—the lowest-ranked of the six Koreans in the field.
Her score set the benchmark on a day when morning starters benefited from calmer conditions, though her bogey on the last hole left the door slightly ajar for the chasing pack.
Arianna Lau of Hong Kong, China is tied second after the first round. (Photo by Oisin Keniry/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)
Joining Wong in a tie for second at 65 were Korea’s Hong Sumin, Australia’s Lion Higo, Japan’s Anna Iwanaga, and Hong Kong’s Arianna Lau. Hong Sumin added to Korea’s strong showing, while Higo, a 22-year-old Pepperdine University graduate, enjoyed a bogey-free round punctuated by two long putts on par-3s and fortunate bounces off the tee. “It was definitely a challenge out there, but I enjoyed it,” Higo said, as she leads the Australian challenge, one shot ahead of compatriot Jazy Roberts.
Iwanaga, representing Japan, also went bogey-free, showcasing consistency in the tricky conditions. Meanwhile, Lau, the reigning Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) Junior Girls champion, capped her round with an eagle-three on the 18th. “I didn’t expect to go this low. I just tried to stay patient and trust my game,” Lau remarked, signalling Hong Kong’s ambition to secure a maiden WAAP victory.
In total, 34 players broke par, with only a few managing the feat in the windier afternoon session. Among the other Koreans in contention, Seojin Park (no relation to the leader) and Soomin Oh both shot 68s, placing them in a tie for ninth. Oh, ranked ninth in the WAGR®, emerged as the highest-ranked player remaining after the withdrawal of pre-tournament favourite Rianne Malixi of the Philippines. Malixi, ranked fourth in the WAGR®, retired after five holes due to a back strain, ending her bid to add the WAAP title to her 2024 US Girls’ Junior and US Women’s Amateur victories. “I am incredibly disappointed to have to retire,” Malixi said, wishing her competitors well as she turns her focus to recovery.
An Le Chuc of Vietnam is tied ninth after the first round (Photo by Oisin Keniry/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)
Elsewhere, New Zealand’s Eunseo Choi posted a 67, finishing in joint ninth and expressing excitement about her country hosting the 2026 WAAP at Royal Wellington. Vietnam’s An Le Chuc led the home contingent with a 67, while 12-year-old Bao Chau Nguyen, the youngest player, struck the opening shot and carded a 77, placing her joint 79th.
The WAAP, a collaboration between The R&A and the APGC, offers its champion life-changing prizes, including entries to three 2025 majors—the AIG Women’s Open, Amundi Evian Championship, and Chevron Championship—plus the Hana Financial Group Championship, ISPS Handa Australian Open, the 122nd Women’s Amateur Championship, and the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
More information on the WAAP can be found at the championship website.
