Malaysia’s Liyana Azizan Durisic claimed the 2026 Women’s World Sand Greens Championship at Holbrook Returned Servicemen’s Golf Club, delivering what she described as the best performance of her young professional career.
Just two years into her professional journey, the 23-year-old produced a superb final round featuring seven birdies to finish at five-under-par, securing victory by two strokes. Despite the eventual margin, the battle for the title remained tight deep into the round.
The lead changed hands several times, with Korea’s Hyeji Yang holding the advantage for much of the day. Liyana remained composed, and crucial birdies on the 16th and 17th holes pushed her into the lead—though she was unaware of her position at the time. Welsh veteran and 2024 champion Lydia Hall mounted a late charge with an eagle on the 17th to close within one shot, but a bogey on the final hole ended her hopes.
“I didn’t even know it up until the last hole, really,” Liyana admitted with a laugh.
“We weren’t watching the scores at all.”
Asked what drove her performance, Liyana was refreshingly clear-eyed about the pillars of her round.
“My drives were on point. I was in play, and my putting was really well today. My approaches were getting a little bit closer than they had been. Everything pretty much went well.”
Seven birdies on Holbrook’s notoriously unpredictable sand greens underscored the quality of her play. Having competed at a different venue in the previous edition, Liyana noted the unique challenge posed by this course, one she ultimately mastered on the day.
“We played a different venue last year, and coming here is different; it’s a different sandy green. But it worked out really, really well, and it was easy to play. So yeah, pretty happy with how it went today.”
“It’s anyone’s game, really. It’s unpredictable. But for today, I think I figured it out pretty well,” she added.
For Liyana, the victory stands above all others in her career so far.
“Number one. It’s sand greens; you wouldn’t really expect much of it. But the week turned out really well.”
Arriving in Holbrook with modest expectations, a win was not initially on her radar. She had instead targeted a solid finish, improving on her eighth-place result in 2025, while also eyeing other tournaments during her Australian swing.
“I would have liked to win Wagga Wagga or Sand Greens, there was a pretty good chance for any of us there. But to end the season like this? It’s just great.”
The win also carried personal significance. With an Australian father, Liyana spoke fondly of competing in the country.
“I love Australia. It’s probably the only country where I don’t feel like I need to rush home. My dad’s Aussie, so technically I’m half Aussie. It’s been great, and I’m leaving in two days, so I think it’s a good way to end the season.”
She also highlighted the camaraderie among players during the round.
“One of my playing partners, Rhianna Lewis, circled my birdies in hearts on the card. I thought that was really cute. Apparently she does it for everyone, and I think that’s great. It was such a show of support. The girls I played with were playing really well too, it was just really nice to play with a great group.”
Another highlight came from Korea’s Nayeon Eum, who thrilled spectators with a hole-in-one on the 14th.
With the season now concluded, Liyana is set for a short break before returning to action on the PGM Tour, with upcoming appearances in Thailand on the Thai LPGA Tour also planned.
