Johor will once again take centre stage when it hosts the World Amateur Golfers Championship (WAGC) World Final 2026, with more than 650 amateur golfers and delegates from over 50 countries expected to arrive for the week-long tournament in October.
The championship, scheduled for 23 to 31 October, returns to Johor for the second time and marks Malaysia’s fifth time hosting the global amateur event. Organisers believe the tournament will provide a significant boost to the state’s tourism sector while reinforcing Johor’s growing reputation as one of Southeast Asia’s leading golf destinations.
Launched at the Johor Tourism Information Centre (JOTIC), the event forms part of the Visit Johor 2026 and Visit Malaysia 2026 campaigns, with officials highlighting its role in attracting international visitors and generating economic activity for local businesses.
Tournament rounds will be played across three championship courses, namely The Els Club Desaru Coast, Forest City Golf Resort, and Tanjung Puteri Golf Resort, while participants will be accommodated at Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast and The Westin Desaru Coast Resort.
The 2026 edition will also feature an expanded international field, with new countries including Austria, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, El Salvador, Georgia, Ireland, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Thailand, and Ukraine joining the championship for the first time.
WAGC President Isac Saminathan said the tournament has evolved into more than just a golf championship.
“The WAGC World Final is a platform that brings people, cultures, and opportunities together through sport. Johor offers outstanding golf facilities, exceptional hospitality, and memorable visitor experiences, making it an ideal host destination.”
For Johor, hosting the championship again reflects growing confidence in the state’s golf tourism credentials. Johor Golf Tourism Association (JGTA) president Col. (R) Mohd Jamal Salleh said the tournament presents an opportunity not only to showcase the state’s championship courses but also to generate wider economic benefits for local communities.
Tourism Johor director Mohammad Nazrul Abd Rahim said visitors would be encouraged to explore the state’s wider attractions beyond the fairways, including its beaches, islands, cultural heritage, food, shopping and nature destinations.
Meanwhile, Tourism Malaysia chairman Datuk Manoharan Periasamy described the championship as an important contributor to Malaysia’s sports tourism ambitions.
He added that events of this scale strengthen Malaysia’s position as a golf tourism destination while generating tourism spending and supporting the objectives of Visit Malaysia 2026.
The official launch concluded with a symbolic Wall of Support signing ceremony involving organisers, government agencies and industry partners, signalling the start of preparations for what is expected to be one of the region’s largest amateur golf events of the year.
