KLPGA Championship "In the Spotlight"... What Are the Largest Scale and Entry Ever?

First Tournament Since COVID-19, Total Prize Money 3 Billion KRW with 150 Participants, Stars Including Choi Hye-jin, Park Sung-hyun, Kim Se-young, and Lee Jeong-eun 6 All Gathered

'Korea's No. 1' Choi Hye-jin challenges for her second consecutive win at the season's first major, the KLPGA Championship.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] "All eyes on this."

The story is about the first major of the 2020 Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour season, the KLPGA Championship, opening on the 14th at Lakewood Golf Club in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province (par 72, 6,540 yards). The global golf community is focused on this tournament. It is effectively the first regular tour event held since the suspension caused by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). There is great interest in whether the tournament can be perfectly completed despite the adverse effects of COVID-19.

▲ "Caution, and more caution" = The event will be held without spectators. The decision was made "with the health and safety of players, tournament officials, and golf fans as the top priority." Considering that there have been no COVID-19 infections at domestic golf courses, gallery admission was reviewed but ultimately it was decided to comply with government policies. A COVID-19 response manual was created to ensure that all involved strictly follow quarantine rules, with thorough preparations in place.

Special UV sterilizers and thermal imaging cameras have been installed, and equipment disinfection at each hole, maintaining a 2-meter distance between players, and other measures are implemented. The practice facility, Urban Range, is designated as a player-only area. The driving range is used with every other tee left empty. Broadcasters are trying various services such as trajectory analysis systems to comfort golf fans exhausted by COVID-19, and have added broadcasting equipment to increase airtime significantly to 30 hours.

▲ "The largest scale ever" = The total prize money is 3 billion KRW, with the winner’s prize as high as 220 million KRW. This is a record-breaking money event in KLPGA Tour history. Initially, the total prize money was set at 2.3 billion KRW with a winner’s prize of 160 million KRW, but it was increased by 700 million KRW to provide more support to players. Kim Sang-yeol, chairman of KLPGA, and the Hoban Group sponsored 400 million KRW, along with generous donations from Lakewood Golf Club and the main broadcaster SBS Golf. There are as many as 150 participating players.

To accommodate lower-ranked seeded players whose participation was uncertain due to overseas tour players entering, the entry list was expanded. It includes 92 seeded players for the 2020 season, including permanent seed holders and KLPGA full members ranked within the top 20 in the world rankings for the year, and 58 players by seed ranking. The 'MDF (Made cut, Did not Finish) cut-off' rule is adopted, applying a different prize money rate than usual tournaments. It is interesting that all players receive prize money, such as 6.25 million KRW for 150th place.

Overseas players, including 'Number 2' Park Sung-hyun, will make a large appearance at the KLPGA Championship.

▲ "All overseas players gathered" = The entry list is spectacular. 'Domestic No. 1' Choi Hye-jin (21, Lotte) is aiming for a second consecutive victory. She recalls the thrilling memory of narrowly defeating Park So-yeon (28) in a playoff last year. Last year, she swept five wins including her first major victory, earning six titles including most wins, prize money, average score, the grand prize, popularity award, and the Best Player trophy selected by golf journalists. She expressed confidence, saying, "It’s a place with good memories" and "All preparations are complete."

2018 champion Jang Ha-na (28, BC Card), last December’s 2020 season opener Hyosung Championship winner Lee Da-yeon (23, Mediheal), and KLPGA Rookie of the Year Jo Ah-yeon (20, Volvik) are among the representative KLPGA players supporting the home defense. Overseas players include world No. 3 Park Sung-hyun (27), LPGA Rookie of the Year Lee Jeong-eun 6 (24, Daebang Construction), Kim Se-young (27, Mirae Asset), and Kim Hyo-joo (25, Lotte), with additions such as Lee Bo-mi (32), Ahn Sun-ju (33), and Bae Seon-woo (26).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.