Aussies hunting historic first at Women's Amateur Asia-Pacific

9 Feb 2026

Media Release:

Two of the rising stars of Australian golf will headline a six-strong Aussie team hunting an historic first when the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) championship tees off at Royal Wellington Golf Club on Thursday.

Marking the first time the WAAP has ventured to New Zealand, the home nation’s 11 competitors is the most of any of the 25 nations represented in the 84-player field.

Australia is one of six countries with six players along with Thailand, Japan, Republic of Korea, Chinese-Taipei and Hong Kong, China.

Led by newly crowned Australian Amateur champion Jazy Roberts (Victoria), the Aussie team also includes 2025 Australian Junior champion Raegan Denton (South Australia), 2025 Australian Amateur champ, Rachel Lee (New South Wales), 2025 Women’s US Amateur semi-finalist, Ella Scaysbrook (New South Wales), 2025 NSW Amateur winner, Grace Rho (Queensland) and 2024 Australian Girls Amateur champion, Shyla Singh (Queensland).

No Australian has triumphed since the tournament’s inception in 2018, Roberts eager to capitalise on her recent good form to claim the international opportunities that await the winner.

In addition to starts in three majors in 2026 – the AIG Women’s Open, the Amundi Evian Championship and the Chevron Championship – the winner also earns starts in the women’s Australian Open, Hana Financial Group Championship, the 123rd Women’s Amateur Championship and the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

“I mean, it’s massive, to be able to get those opportunities,” said Roberts.

“If you do win, it’s probably life-changing, but you have to win. There’s a lot of great Asian girls that are going to be there.”

Tied fourth 12 months ago in Vietnam behind Melbourne-based Malaysian Jeneath Wong, Roberts was tied fourth at the recent Vic Open at 13th Beach Golf Links and knows it will take her best to become the first Aussie winner of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific.

“I wouldn’t say at its best, but definitely it’s pretty solid,” said Roberts of her recent form that includes a six-stroke win at the Australian Amateur at The West Australian Golf Club.

“I think I’ve been playing quite a lot of golf since the start of the year, but yeah, it’s been going well.”

Making her tournament debut, Denton also comes in riding a wave of confidence.

Starting the year with victory at Master of the Amateurs and tied fourth at the Vic Open, Denton also enters the week with winning aspirations.

“My goals going into any event are just, I’m trying to win,” said Denton, who was third at last year’s APGC Junior Championship in Hong Kong.

“That is the end goal, but at the same time, I’m just trying to put myself into positions that allow me to do that.

“I try not to go in with too many specific expectations. Obviously, I have expectations of myself and what I would consider a good score and a bad score on the day. But overall, I really just have one goal in mind, which is trying to do my best, which hopefully is to be holding a trophy at the end of the tournament.”

Founded in 2018, this year will see the eighth playing of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship which was developed by The R&A and the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC). Their aim is to inspire future generations of women golfers and provide the champion with an unparalleled launch-pad early in their career through exemptions into multiple women’s major championships and other elite amateur championships.

Four former Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific competitors have gone on to become major champions: Yuka Saso (2021 and 2024 US Women’s Open), Patty Tavatanakit (2021 Chevron Championship), Ayake Furue (2024 Amundi Evian Championship) and Australia’s own Grace Kim (2025 Amundi Evian Championship).

The best finish by an Australian to date is Kelsey Bennett’s tie for second in 2021.

All four rounds of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship will be broadcast live on Fox Sports and Kayo Sports.

Details
Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship
Royal Wellington Golf Club, Wellington, NZ
Recent champion: Jeneath Wong (Malaysia)
Past Aussie winners: Nil
TV times: Live 11am-2pm AEDT Thursday, Friday on Fox Sports 503; Live 9:30am-12pm AEDT Saturday and Sunday on Fox Sports 505 and Kayo Sports.

Australians in the field

Raegan Denton
World Amateur Golf Ranking: 37
Home club: Royal Adelaide GC, SA
Wins: 2026 Women’s Australian Master of The Amateurs; 2025 Port Phillip Open Amateur and Victorian Amateur; 2025 NextGen Amateur Tour World Final; 2025 Australian Girls’ Amateur; 2025 Rene Erichsen Salver; 2024 Bonville Champions Trophy; 2024 Jack Newton International Junior Classic; 2024 Queensland Amateur Championship.

Rachel Lee
World Amateur Golf Ranking: 110
Home club: Avondale GC, NSW
Wins: 2025 Sydney Amateur International; 2025 Queensland Junior Amateur; 2025 Concord Cup; 2025 Australian Women’s Amateur Championship; 2024 NextGen Amateur Tour Newcastle; NextGen Amateur Tour Bankstown.

Ella Scaysbrook
World Amateur Golf Ranking: 59
Home club: The Australian GC, NSW
Wins: 2026 Avondale Bowl; 2025 NSW Silver Cup; 2025 Avondale Bowl; 2024 Bowra & O’Dea Women’s 72 Hole Classic; 2024 Rene Erichsen Salver.

Shyla Singh
World Amateur Golf Ranking: 149
Home club: Southport GC, Qld
Wins: 2024 Australian Girls’ Amateur

Grace Rho
World Amateur Golf Ranking: 192
Home club: Royal Queensland GC, Qld
Wins: 2025 Bowra & O’Dea Womens 72 Hole Classic; 2025 NSW Amateur; 2024 Katherine Kirk Classic; 2024 Pacific Harbour Amateur.

Jazy Roberts
World Amateur Golf Ranking: 58
Home club: Yarra Yarra GC, Vic
Wins: 2025 Dunes Medal; 2025 Pacific Northwest Women’s Amateur Championship (US); 2024 Dunes Medal; 2024 Keperra Bowl.