Wellington 13-year-old Elise Barber experienced her toughest day of the championship, with the youngest player firing an 11-over par final round to finish at 15-over and a tie for 44th.
Yang, who tied for fourth in last year’s WAAP in Vietnam, said “I’m very proud to be the first Korean winner. Having the opportunity to play in three major championships is an honour.”
On the PGA Tour, Aucklander Ryan Fox is positioned well for a strong finish at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am in California, the first of the $33 million signature events of the PGA Tour season.
Fox sits in a tie for 22nd place at 11-under, eight shots back from leader Akshay Bhatia of the USA.
The Kiwi fired a third round 69 at Pebble Beach Golf Links after another strong start with three birdies on the opening nine. A bogey at the 10th and a birdie at the par five 14th saw him close out with a three-under round.
Fox will play with Americans Harris English and Max Greyserman in the final round.
Two-time major winner Collin Morikawa, another American, had the round of the day, shooting a 10-under 62 to leap into a share of second, two back from Bhatia.
World No 1 Scottie Scheffler is also on 11-under with Fox.
On the LIV Tour, nearing the end of the final round at the LIV Golf Adelaide event, Kiwi Ben Campbell finished tied 17th, 11 back from winner Anthony Kim.