DALTON, Ga. - Dalton State junior Jia Kataria takes to Royal Wellington today in New Zealand, putting her game on the World stage. Kataria sits atop the NAIA at No. 1 with a 70.7 adjusted scoring average over 12 rounds, highlighted by two victories and four top-two finishes. Her key 2024–25 results include titles at the SSAC Championship ('25), the LTU Spring Break Invitational ('25), the Lady Roadrunner Fall Invite ('25), and The Invite at Innisbrook ('24)..

SCHEDULE & HOW TO FOLLOW
Dates: February 12–15, 2026 (Royal Wellington, Upper Hutt, New Zealand)
TEE TIME
ROUND 1

• NO. 10 at 3:12 p.m. (ET) Wednesday/11:12 a.m. (GMT +13) Thursday

WATCH

• USA Network 8:00 P.M. (ET) Wednesday (Cable Subscription Required)
• R&A TV
• YouTube

BLOG

• R&A

EVENT & VENUE OVERVIEW
The 2026 Women's Amateur Asia-Pacific will be played 12–15 February at Royal Wellington Golf Club in Upper Hutt, marking the eighth edition of the championship and the first time it has been hosted in New Zealand. Established by The R&A and the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), WAAP was created to unearth emerging talent and provide a direct pathway for the region's best amateurs to the international stage.
 
A field of 84 players from 28 countries is set to compete, led by defending champion Jeneath Wong (Malaysia). This year's lineup includes 13 of the top-50 and 26 of the top-100 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking®, with standouts such as Soomin Oh (KOR) and Rianne Malixi (PHI) among the headliners.
 
Royal Wellington is a classic parkland layout set alongside the Hutt River, recognized as one of New Zealand's premier courses. Its championship pedigree includes hosting the New Zealand Open on seven occasions (notably in 1976) and the 2017 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, won by Yuxin Lin (CHN)—a track record that underscores the venue's ability to test elite amateurs with strategic driving lanes and exacting approach targets.

WHAT THE WINNER EARNS
The champion secures exemptions into three women's majors, the AIG Women's Open, The Chevron Championship, and the Amundi Evian Championship, plus invitations to the Augusta National Women's Amateur and the Hana Financial Group Championship, making WAAP one of the most consequential titles in the amateur game.

DONATE TO THE ROADRUNNER CLUB TODAY! Dalton State student-athletes are successful in the classroom and on the field of play because of their support system. Become part of that support system and make an impact that affects a student-athletes life. Click here to make your impact!  
 
FIND NEWS AND FOLLOW THE BIRDS: News and updates from Dalton State's women's golf team is posted on dsroadrunners.com and on X (@DaltonStateGolf), Facebook (@DaltonStateGolf) and Instagram (daltonstategolf). Be sure to follow to keep pace with the Birds!
 
#BeepBeep