17-year-old golfer impresses on opening day of WAAP Championship 2025

With a score of 6 birdies, 1 eagle and only 1 bogey, 17-year-old golfer Seo Jin Park set a record for this year's tournament, at 64 strokes (-7) at the par71 course at Hoiana Shores Golf Club, Quang Nam .

Seo Jin Park leads on the first day of competition

On a day when the morning weather conditions gave them a big advantage, golfers Hong Su-min (Korea), Lion Higo (Australia), Anna Iwanaga (Japan), Jeneath Wong (Malaysia) and Arianna Lau (Hong Kong) all shot 65, thereby finishing in second place (T2).

In total, 34 of the 93 golfers from 24 countries entered with under par, most of whom started in the morning. The afternoon group faced more difficulties in the strong winds on the links course.

Seo Jin-park beamed with the lead, despite a bogey on the final hole, at hole 9. "I'm so happy and proud of myself. I didn't expect to take the lead," said the South Korean national team member, ranked 281st in WAGR. Among his compatriots, Hong Sumin shot 65, Seojin Park and Soomin Oh both shot 68. With Malixi withdrawing, Oh (ranked 9th in WAGR) became the highest-ranked golfer and has a chance to become the first Korean to win the WAAP.

Hong Kong Golfer Arianna Lau

Golfers from Australia, Hong Kong and Malaysia are also looking for their first national championships. Arianna Lau (Hong Kong) and Lion Higo (Australia) both shot 65s. Jazy Roberts (Australia) was right behind with a 66. Lau, the reigning APGC women's junior champion, said: "I didn't expect to play so well. I don't put too much emphasis on the score, just try to be patient and believe in my ability."

Le Chuc Anh is having the best results among Vietnamese golfers.

Le Chuc An was the Vietnamese golfer with the best result with 67 strokes, tied for ninth place. "The wind in the morning was not too strong and I played better than expected. This is a good start and I hope to play better tomorrow," said Chuc An, who attended the first WAAP Academy in Thailand in December.

Nguyen Bao Chau (12 years old), the youngest golfer of the tournament, had a memorable day when she shot the opening shot and scored 77 to finish T79. She and Nadene Gole (Australia, 56 years old), the oldest golfer, need to improve their scores significantly in the second round to be able to pass the cut.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/golfer-17-tuoi-gay-an-tuong-ngay-mo-man-waap-championship-2025-185250306205037645.htm