'Comeback' KPGA Winter Tour... "All the Masters of the Strong Gather~"

Five Mini-Series Tournaments from January to March Next Year at Jeonbuk Gunsan Golf Course, Featuring Tour Pros, Foreign Players, and Amateurs 'All Together'

KPGA 'Winter Tour' will hold five tournaments from January to March next year at Gunsan Golf Course in Jeonbuk.

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "From professionals to top amateurs."

The revival of the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) 'Winter Tour' is here. It will continue with five events: the 1st round on January 14 next year, the 2nd on the 21st, the 3rd on February 4, the 4th on the 18th, and the 5th on March 11. Each tournament offers a total prize money of 40 million KRW, with 8 million KRW for the winner. For players, this is especially welcome as an opportunity to fine-tune their competitive shot skills amid the difficulties of overseas training caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Between 2013 and 2014, a mini-series was held four times annually in Thailand, each with a total prize money of 100,000 USD. This marks a resumption after seven years. In particular, in 2014, Lee Hyung-jun (28) secured the 11th place in the final prize money ranking, earning a regular tour card and drawing more spotlight. Lee Hyung-jun eventually achieved his first Korean Tour victory at the Tour Championship in November and rose as a leading star by winning the Order of Merit in 2018.

In February to March 2017, the Vietnam Laguna Lang Co Tour was scheduled to hold three events with 18-hole qualifiers followed by 54-hole stroke play over three rounds, but it was canceled at the last minute due to a lack of participants. It was rumored that "the costs for entry fees and accommodation were too high, resulting in low cost-effectiveness." This time, the situation is different. COVID-19 has actually acted as a driving force. In fact, some players like Yang Yong-eun (48) created a mini-tour at their own expense last May.

In a survey of 6,200 players and amateurs who participated in KPGA-sanctioned tournaments over the past five years, 87.3% responded positively, and among them, 85.6% expressed their intention to participate. Lee Woo-jin, KPGA Operations Director, said, "It will greatly help players who find it difficult to go abroad to maintain their competitive performance," adding, "As COVID-19 has entered its third wave, we will respond promptly to government quarantine measures."

The format involves KPGA tour professionals (full and associate members), foreign players, and amateurs all competing. After an 18-hole qualifier at Baekje Golf Club in Buyeo, Chungnam, 136 players will be selected to advance to the main event's two rounds at Gunsan Golf Club in Jeonbuk. Only the top 60 after the first round of the main event will proceed to the final second round. The winner receives 8 million KRW and exemption from the next tournament's qualifier. After completing all five events, the combined points will grant professional status to the 'Top 8' associate members and the 'Top 10' amateurs.

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