[Photo] Golf Australia
Australia will be hunting history this week as six of the nation’s brightest young golfers head to New Zealand for the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) Championship at Royal Wellington Golf Club.
For the first time, the prestigious championship has ventured across the Tasman, attracting 84 players from 25 nations, with host nation New Zealand fielding the largest contingent of 11. Australia is one of six countries with six representatives, alongside Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong.
Related: Rising Stars and Historic Firsts to Shine at Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific
Leading the Aussie charge is newly crowned Australian Amateur champion Jazy Roberts (Victoria), whose recent form suggests she could become the first Australian to lift the WAAP trophy since its inception in 2018. Roberts, who tied fourth in last year’s event in Vietnam, has also been in fine form at home, including a six-stroke victory at the Australian Amateur.
“I mean, it’s massive, to be able to get those opportunities,” Roberts said. “If you do win, it’s probably life-changing, but you have to win.”
Related: Jazy Roberts and Billy Dowling crowned Australian Amateur champions
Joining Roberts is Raegan Denton (South Australia), the 2025 Australian Junior champion, who makes her WAAP debut after strong early-season performances, including a win at the Master of the Amateurs and a tie for fourth at the Vic Open.
“My goal is always to win,” Denton said. “But I try to put myself in positions that allow me to do that. Hopefully, it will be me holding the trophy at the end of the tournament.”
The full Australian team also features 2025 Australian Amateur champion Rachel Lee (NSW), 2025 Women’s US Amateur semi-finalist Ella Scaysbrook (NSW), 2025 NSW Amateur winner Grace Rho (Queensland), and 2024 Australian Girls Amateur champion Shyla Singh (Queensland).
Since its founding in 2018 by The R&A and the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation, the WAAP has become a launchpad for the world’s best young female golfers, offering exemptions into three 2026 majors; the AIG Women’s Open, the Amundi Evian Championship and the Chevron Championship, as well as other elite amateur events, including the women’s Australian Open and Augusta National Women’s Amateur.