The Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) tees off this week in New Zealand, and once again, Philippine women’s golf will be right in the mix.
Carrying the flag are Rianne Malixi and Junia Gabasa, two familiar names who know what it means to compete — and contend — on big regional stages.
Royal Wellington Golf Club in Upper Hutt, just outside Wellington, plays host to the 2026 WAAP from 12 to 15 February.
The field is stacked, with 84 of the best women amateurs from 25 countries and territories across the Asia-Pacific all chasing one of the most valuable titles in amateur golf. It’s a 72-hole stroke play battle, with the field trimmed to the top 50 and ties after 36 holes before the weekend rounds.
For the Philippines, most eyes will be on Malixi.
The 18-year-old arrives in New Zealand riding strong momentum after picking up her first US collegiate win for Duke University at the Sea Best Intercollegiate last month.
A former world No. 3 amateur, Malixi has long been regarded as one of Asia’s brightest prospects, with victories on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour and impressive showings on the Asian and Thai LPGA tours. She’s also no stranger to WAAP leaderboards — still searching for that one week where everything finally clicks.
Backing her is Gabasa, a steady and experienced campaigner who has represented the country in several regional events.
She first made waves as a teenager by winning the Philippine Ladies Amateur Open and has continued to build her résumé while competing in US-based collegiate and amateur tournaments.
Together, they give the Philippines both firepower and balance in a very deep field.
WAAP isn’t just another amateur championship — it’s a launchpad.
The winner at Royal Wellington earns coveted starts in some of the biggest events in women’s golf, including the AIG Women’s Open, the Chevron Championship, the Amundi Evian Championship, the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, and the Hana Financial Group Championship.
Those opportunities can instantly elevate a player from regional contender to global name.
For Malixi, the stakes are personal as well. She already holds an invitation to this year’s Augusta National Women’s Amateur after being forced to miss the 2025 edition due to injury. A WAAP title would cement her status among Asia’s elite amateurs and confirm her ability to close on the biggest stages.
Royal Wellington is expected to reward precision and patience. Its tree-lined fairways, undulating greens, and the possibility of gusty winds mean disciplined course management will be just as important as aggressive scoring. Staying out of trouble could matter as much as making birdies.
That setup could suit both Filipinas. Malixi’s recent form suggests she’s closer than ever to putting together four complete rounds, while Gabasa’s calm, methodical approach could be invaluable in a tournament where consistency often separates contenders from the rest.
With major championship invitations and global exposure on the line, the 2026 Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific is more than just another event on the amateur calendar. For Malixi and Gabasa, it’s another chance to show that Philippine women’s golf doesn’t just belong on the region’s biggest stages — it’s ready to compete, and perhaps break through, one fairway at a time.