[Golf Topic] Korean Open Winner 'No Entry to Next Year's The Open'

Jang Dong-gyu (left) and Hwang In-chun are seen taking a commemorative photo after securing their spots in last year's The Open.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] ○…The winner of next year's Korean Open will not be able to participate in The Open, the "oldest major" tournament.

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A), which canceled this year's The Open due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has decided not to offer entry through the qualifying series next year. The Korea Golf Association, which organizes the Korean Open, stated on the 29th, "Although it is unfortunate, we expect to regain The Open entry rights in 2022." The qualifying series is a system that designates certain tournaments among tours worldwide and grants The Open entry rights to top finishers.

The Korean Open has been included in The Open qualifying series since 2017, with the winner and runner-up earning spots in the tournament. The R&A, which canceled this year's The Open, announced that "as many as 106 players have already secured entry for next year." Entry rights earned through qualifying series tournaments held this year remain valid. Kim Joo-hyung (18, CJ Logistics) secured a spot in The Open by finishing 4th at the Singapore Open in January. Next year's Korean Open will be held in June, and The Open will take place in July.

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