Korean Teen Hong Su-min Conquers Winds to Lead WAAP Championship at Halfway Mark

In a masterclass of patience and precision, 18-year-old Hong Su-min from Korea has surged to the top of the leaderboard at the prestigious Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) Championship, battling fierce winds to post an impressive four-under-par 67 in the second round.

Steady Hands in Blustery Conditions

With the wind whipping across the links-style Hoiana Shores Golf Club in Danang, Vietnam, Hong demonstrated remarkable composure beyond her years. Her stellar performance gave her a two-stroke advantage at the halfway point with a 10-under 132 total.

“Right now, I’m really happy and satisfied with how I played and stayed patient,” Hong shared after her round. “I’m leading at the moment, but I try not to think about the final goal and result. I just want to enjoy this with my peers, team-mates and friends from other countries.”

The young Korean, currently ranked 221st in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), navigated the challenging course with strategic brilliance. Her round featured six birdies against just two bogeys, positioning her perfectly to become the first Korean winner in the championship’s seven-year history.

South Korean Sumin Hong

Morning Starters Gain Advantage

Hot on Hong’s heels are Malaysian Jeneath Wong and Australian Jazy Roberts, both tied at eight-under. The duo benefited from morning tee times when conditions were significantly more favorable than the afternoon’s gusty challenge.

Roberts, ranked 144th in the WAGR, posted a solid 68 despite dropping a shot on her opening hole. “It was pretty solid again. I hit a few shots in close and rolled some putts in,” she explained. “It was getting really windy, but I managed to get through. It’s what you expect when you come to a course that’s next to the ocean. You have to play smart.”

The relaxed Australian isn’t overthinking her position: “I’ll maybe scroll through TikTok – just get my mind off golf and restart tomorrow. Anything can happen on a course like this. I’m honestly not too fazed.”

Recovery and Resilience

Wong’s second round began dramatically with a double-bogey seven on her first hole but showed tremendous mental strength to recover. “I was in the fairway bunker and had two shots to get out of there, so I was a bit flustered. But I kept composed and just waited for pars and birdies,” said Wong, who finished with three birdies in her final four holes for a 69.

The Malaysian, who relocated to Australia at age 10, is now positioned to achieve the best WAAP finish by a Malaysian player, currently held by Ashley Lau’s sixth-place showing in 2021.

Star-Studded Leaderboard

World number nine Oh Soo-min holds fourth place after an action-packed 67 that featured eight birdies offset by four bogeys. The aggressive approach by the 16-year-old Korean kept fans entertained throughout her round.

“With the wind blowing, you have to think about course management. That made me more focused on my game,” Oh explained, despite her miscalculation at the 18th where an ambitious hybrid from a bunker resulted in a costly bogey.

Chinese Taipei’s Lin Jie-en (69) sits fifth at eight-under, while Australia’s Lion Higo (72) shares sixth place with Koreans Park Seojin (69) and Yang Yunseo, whose bogey-free 66 marked the day’s best round.

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Local Heroes and Inspiring Stories

Vietnam’s Chuc An Le demonstrated remarkable fighting spirit, overcoming two double-bogeys in her front nine to card a 76 and make the cut at one-over 143. “I’m happy to make the cut. That was my first target,” said the delighted local favorite.

One of the tournament’s most inspiring stories comes from Margaret Lavaki, the first-ever player from Papua New Guinea to compete in the WAAP. Though she struggled with rounds of 90 and 88, her pioneering participation marks a significant milestone.

“I went through a lot this week, firstly, just to get here. And the course itself is very difficult for me. But having come this far, I did my best and it’s been a great experience,” Lavaki reflected. “I’ve been speaking to my family, my husband, and my kids especially, and some of my friends back home. They’re very supportive and I’m very grateful for them.”

Championship Progresses

The cut fell at four-over-par 146, with notable casualties including 32nd-ranked Japanese player Mamika Shinchi, who never fully recovered from food poisoning early in the week. Rather than heading home, she plans to caddie for compatriot Sakura Torii, who sits tied for 19th.

Australia’s Nadene Gole, the eldest competitor at 56 and winner of both The R&A Women’s Senior Amateur and US Senior Women’s Amateur last year, missed the cut after a challenging 81 but finished in style with a birdie on her final hole.

As the championship enters its final two rounds, all eyes will be on the young Korean leader Hong as she attempts to maintain her advantage over an international field of rising stars at this premier amateur event in Asia-Pacific women’s golf.