Singapore: The R&A and Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) have announced that the sixth edition of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) championship will be played on the Waterside Course at Thailand’s Siam Country Club.

The WAAP returns to Siam Country Club from February 1-4, 2024 following a successful championship in 2022 where a dramatic final round produced a memorable win for Chinese Taipei’s Tiffany Huang Ting-hsuan.

The 17-year-old made six birdies over the last 11 holes to emerge victorious over local favourite Natthakritta Vongtaveelap who has since turned professional and recorded a runner-up finish in her first LPGA event – the Honda LPGA Thailand, hosted by Siam Country Club on the Old Course, Pattaya, just two weeks ago.

The WAAP aims to inspire future generations of women golfers and provides the champion with a launch-pad into international golf through exemptions into multiple women’s major championships and other elite amateur championships.

The winner will be invited to compete in three Major championships - the AIG Women’s Open, Amundi Evian Championship and the Chevron Championship.

In addition, they'll be invited to the Hana Financial Group Championship, ISPS Handa Australian Open, the 121st Women's Amateur Championship and the Augusta National Women's Amateur.

Martin Slumbers, CEO at The R&A, said: “Last year, Siam Country Club was a wonderful venue for the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship and we are delighted to be returning there in 2024.

“The Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship is at the pinnacle of the women’s amateur game in the region and we take it to world-class championship venues such as Siam Country Club.

“We have created a platform for the very best women’s players in Asia-Pacific to show us just how good they are and give them the opportunity if they win to play on the very best professional stages around the world. I look forward to seeing who seizes that opportunity next year.”

APGC Chairman Taimur Hassan Amin acknowledged Thailand’s strong connection with WAAP since the inaugural championship was won by Thai star Atthaya Thitikul in 2018.

He said: "Players and officials will, I'm sure, be thrilled to be able to head back to Siam Country Club and the Land of Smiles next year for what promises to be another memorable championship.

“To be the first club to host the Women's Amateur Asia-Pacific championship on two occasions is not only testament to the calibre of Siam Country Club’s beautiful and challenging Waterside Course, but also is a reflection of the efforts of Dr Phornthep Phornprapha and his team in promoting and developing golf."

The Waterside Course was opened in 2014, can play up to 7,400 yards, and is designed around the unique waterways and gentle topography of what is now a 63-hole complex belonging to the Siam Motors Group, approximately 130 kilometres south-east of Bangkok.

Siam Motors Group President Dr Phornthep said he was delighted to see the WAAP return to Siam Country Club as his company continues to support young golfers across Thailand and the region.

He said: “We are honoured to be partnering with The R&A and the APGC to bring the most prestigious women’s amateur championship in this region back to Thailand at the Siam Country Club, Waterside Course, Pattaya. We are committed as the host venue to working closely with The R&A to present the best playing condition and a world-class golf facility for all the participants.

“We are proud to be hosting the Women's Amateur Asia-Pacific championship for the second time and continuing playing our part in the growth and development of ladies golf in the region. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone and watching some remarkable golf come February 2024.”

The WAAP was developed by The R&A and APGC to unearth emerging talent and provide a route for Asia’s elite female amateurs to the international stage.

The R&A is supported by championship event partners that share its commitment to developing golf in the Asia-Pacific - Hana Financial Group, Nippon Kabaya Ohayo Holdings, Rolex and Samsung.

More information on the WAAP can be found at the championship website https://www.randa.org/championships/womens-amateur-asia-pacific-championship