The prestigious Taiheiyo Club Minori Course in Japan will stage the 2027 Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific, showcasing elite amateur talent and offering major championship exemptions.
THE ninth Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) championship will be held at Japan’s Taiheiyo Club Minori Course from 22-25 April 2027.
This marks the second time Japan has hosted the pre-eminent women’s amateur golf event for the Asia-Pacific region. The WAAP champion receives life-changing exemptions into three women’s major championships.
These include invites to the AIG Women’s Open, the Chevron Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship. The winner also gains entry to the Hana Financial Group Championship, ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open, The 123rd Women’s Amateur Championship and the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
The R&A’s Chief Executive Mark Darbon highlighted Japan’s significant role in the championship’s success. He pointed to the global impact of Japanese major champions like Yuka Saso, Ayaka Furue and current AIG Women’s Open champion Miyu Yamashita.
“We are extremely grateful to Taiheiyo Club for its tremendous support of amateur golf,” Darbon said. He added that the Minori Course would provide an outstanding stage for the region’s best women amateurs.
Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation Chairman Philip Hassall said the championship’s profile would be further elevated in 2027. He cited the outstanding venue, world-class field and Japanese hospitality as key ingredients for a memorable event.
The Taiheiyo Club Minori Course has previously hosted the LPGA Tour’s Toto Japan Classic four times. WAAP alumna Mone Inami won the most recent edition there in 2023.
Taiheiyo Club President Shun Han expressed honour at hosting the championship for a second time in Japan. He said it was a wonderful opportunity to introduce the Minori Course, one of Japan’s top tournament layouts, to the world.
The last WAAP held in Japan was in 2019, when local favourite Yuka Yasuda won by a record eight strokes. She overcame an eight-shot deficit after the first round to claim the title.
Reflecting on the announcement, Yasuda said her victory remained a fond memory that inspired her professional career. “I hope that many Japanese players will perform well and liven up the championship,” she added.
The WAAP was developed by The R&A and the APGC to unearth emerging talent. Notable past competitors include major champions Patty Tavatanakit and Grace Kim.
Current world number one Jeeno Thitikul was the inaugural and youngest winner in 2018. The championship is supported by Rolex, ISPS Handa, Samsung and Hana Financial Group among others.
Caption (top right): Phillip Hassall, Chairman of the APGC, Shun Han, President of the Taiheiyo Club, Japanese amateur golfers Anna Iwanaga and Yurina Hiroyoshi and Martin Hattrell, Chairman of The R&A announce the Taiheiyo Club Minori Course in Japan will host the 2027 Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship from 22-25 April.
The Sun Malaysia
