Yang Crushes WAAP by 8; India’s Sandhu claims T20 in windy finale

Gusting southerly winds battered Royal Wellington in the final round of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP), making scoring brutal—only three sub-par rounds all day. India’s teen star Guntas Sandhu battled to a 5-over 77, finishing T20 at 4-over total—best among Indians. Teammate Ananyaa Sood carded 82 for 14-over and T42.

Korea’s Yunseo Yang conquered the chaos with a flawless 3-under 69, clinching her first WAAP title at 16-under 272—eight shots clear of Soomin Oh, matching the record margin set by Japan’s Yuka Yasuda in 2019.

The 18-year-old held solo lead after every round, a championship first, ending Korea’s win drought (runners-up in 2023-25). Yang tied for fourth in last year’s WAAP in Vietnam.

Her triumph unlocks 2026 exemptions to majors: AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes, Amundi Evian Championship, and Chevron Championship—plus elite amateurs.

Yang repelled Oh’s challenge masterfully, proving her poise in history-making fashion amid winds that derailed many contenders.