14-year-old Guntas became the youngest Indian to make the cut at the WAAP
The seventh edition of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) Golf Championship saw Indian golfer Saanvi Somu of Bangalore securing the best finish among her compatriots at tied-38th as 14-year-old debutant Guntas Kaur Sandhu became the youngest Indian to make the cut, finishing the tournament at the 47th position. Mannat Brar, the final and third Indian to play in the weekend rounds, finished in 48th place.
Somu, making her second consecutive cut at WAAP, shot scores of 72-74-70-70, ending the tournament at 2-over for the week. Sandhu, despite her final round struggles, impressed with her fearless approach and aggressive putting, collecting 14 birdies over the course of 4 days— the highest among the Indian contingent. However, challenging windy conditions saw her closing with a 7-over 78, finishing at 9-over.
Brar, who had previously failed to make the cut in three attempts, finally broke through this year. However, an erratic final round of 78, following scores of 67-76-73 in the first three rounds, saw her finishing at 10-over.
The three other Indian participants—Heena Kang (76-73), Zara Anand (76-74), and Kashika Misra (78-79)—failed to make the cut, which was set at 4-over, with 52 players advancing to the final two rounds.
Sandhu, who recently turned 14 on February 2, took a break from her ninth-grade exams to participate in her debut WAAP event. Competing in tough conditions at the challenging Hoiana Shores Golf Club, she showcased composure beyond her years, handling the winds with a bold playing style.
Malaysian winner Jeneath Wong makes history
Jeneath Wong etched her name in WAAP history by becoming the first Malaysian champion. Representing Pepperdine University in the USA, Wong compiled rounds of 65-69-64-68, totaling 18-under 266—the lowest winning score in the tournament’s history. Her performance eclipsed the previous best of 270, set by Chun-wei Wu of Chinese Taipei in 2023.
Wong’s victory secured her berths in three Major Professional Championships in 2025—the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl (Wales), The Chevron Championship (Texas), and the Amundi Evian Championship (France). Additionally, she gains entry to other prestigious events, including the Hana Financial Group Championship in Korea, ISPS Handa Australian Open, and the 122nd Women’s Amateur Championship in UK.
Developed by the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) and The R&A, WAAP serves as a launchpad for elite female amateurs in the region, offering pathways to the global stage. Past winners include top players from Thailand, Japan, and Chinese Taipei. The tournament’s next edition, in 2026, will take place in Wellington, New Zealand.
