The R&A and the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) have announced that Royal Wellington in New Zealand will host the eighth edition of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) championship from 12-15 February 2026.
This marks the first time New Zealand will host this prestigious championship, which has become the premier women’s amateur golf event in the Asia-Pacific region and aims to inspire future generations of women golfers.
The WAAP champion receives exceptional opportunities through exemptions into three women’s major championships: the AIG Women’s Open, the Chevron Championship, and the Amundi Evian Championship. The winner will also receive invitations to compete in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and the Hana Financial Group Championship.
Mark Darbon, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “We are delighted to bring the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship to New Zealand for the first time. With the region’s best women amateurs competing for major opportunities, Royal Wellington, which has already hosted the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, will be an outstanding golf course to test their skill and truly let their talent shine through.”
APGC Chairman Taimur Hassan Amin added, “From the outset, it was the intention to take the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific to different locations around our region. Following successful events in Singapore and Thailand twice each, and once each in Abu Dhabi, Japan and Vietnam, we’re excited to be heading south to New Zealand in 2026 to the spectacular stage that is Royal Wellington. It promises to be a memorable occasion.”
Jeff Latch, CEO of Golf New Zealand, commented, “Golf New Zealand is incredibly proud to welcome the 2026 Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship to Royal Wellington Golf Club. As the pinnacle women’s amateur golf championship in the Asia-Pacific region, it provides a platform for the brightest young talents to compete on the world stage and will further inspire the next generation of golfers here in New Zealand.”
Royal Wellington, established in 1895 and situated alongside the Hutt River, is one of New Zealand’s premier parkland courses. It has hosted the New Zealand Open seven times and was the venue for the 2017 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship won by China’s Yuxin Lin.
The WAAP was developed by The R&A and APGC to discover emerging talent and create pathways for Asia’s elite women amateurs to the international stage.
The championship is supported by partners including Rolex, ISPS Handa, Nippon Kabaya Ohayo Holdings, Samsung, Hana Financial Group, Peter Millar, and Titleist.
