WAAP Championship Vietnam is coming to Hoiana Shores Golf Club this March, and let me tell you, it’s going to be a proper treat.
Imagine a lively mix of international amateur talent—golfers who are as unpredictable as they are skilled—tearing up the fairways with a playful twist that only amateur golf can deliver.
In this seventh edition of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific, the stage is set for drama and delight from 6-9 March. Among the field are luminaries like world number four Rianne Malixi from the Philippines and South Korea’s sensational 16-year-old, Soomin Oh.
Both are not only ranked in the top ten of the World Amateur Golf Ranking® but also carry with them tales of stunning triumphs and relentless ambition.
Malixi, who last year etched her name into golf history by clinching both the US Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship and the US Women’s Amateur, has since been honing her game by challenging the men’s field—a bold move that has clearly paid dividends.
Oh, and on the other hand, has been turning heads with a string of victories in Korea and New Zealand, proving that age is just a number when talent is on display.
The championship isn’t just a showcase for individual brilliance; it’s a celebration of a region’s rising prowess.
With seven players from the top-50 and 17 from the top-100, the competition is a veritable who’s who of Asia-Pacific’s finest amateurs.
From China’s Ren Yijia and Hong Kong’s Sophie Han—both recent winners on the China LPGA Tour—to Japan’s Mamika Shinchi and Aira Nagasawa, each stroke at Hoiana Shores is set to carry the hopes of entire nations.
New Zealand’s Vivian Lu and Hong Kong’s APGC Junior Girls’ champion Arianna Lau add further intrigue to an already star-studded lineup.
Not to be outdone, Thailand continues its proud tradition in the championship with standout competitors Achiraya Sriwong and Pimpisa Rubrong.
After a stellar third-place finish last year and a string of impressive wins in 2024, Sriwong is clearly ready to crank up the heat. And then there’s Rubrong—after making waves at the Honda LPGA Thailand, she’s heading to Vietnam with a chip on her shoulder and a fierce determination to outdo herself.
The home team isn’t just watching from the sidelines. Vietnam’s own squad—featuring the likes of Viet Gai Han Nguyen, Chuc An Le, and Anna Le—is all set to rewrite their story. After Xuan Khue Minh Doan’s modest 51st finish in 2023, they’re hungry to turn the tide and make a real impact this time around.
Among them, 12-year-old Bao Chau Nguyen promises to be the tournament’s pint-sized dynamo, and veteran former pro Nadene Gole, at 56, brings a wealth of experience that defies age.
Adding an extra twist to the narrative, this year’s WAAP Championship Vietnam will see debut appearances from competitors representing Jordan and Papua New Guinea.
Lilian Fuad and Margaret Lavaki are making their debut at this prestigious event, and they’re ready to shake things up with fresh insights and the undeniable buzz of a first appearance.
It isn’t merely about the glory on the greens—it’s about seizing a golden ticket to a brighter future.
The champion won’t just walk away with a trophy; she’ll unlock life-changing opportunities with exemptions into three major championships—think the AIG Women’s Open, Amundi Evian Championship, and the Chevron Championship—plus invites to other top-tier tournaments.
In short, the WAAP Championship Vietnam isn’t just a contest; it’s a launchpad for the next generation of international golf stars.
As the world’s best amateur golfers converge on Hoiana Shores, the event promises not only top-tier competition but also plenty of moments that will keep spectators smiling and talking long after the final putt is holed.
For anyone with a love for golf’s finer, often unpredictable nuances, this championship is one not to be missed.
For further details on schedules and participant profiles, be sure to check out the official championship website.
