LPGA Fines Ko Jin-young 31 Million Won for Missing Season Opener

No Participation in the Same Competition for 4 Years... Lee Min-ji Also Notified of Fine
Low Likelihood of Actual Imposition

Ko Jin-young tee shot Photo by Yonhap News

The LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) has notified Ko Jin-young (28) of a fine for not participating in the season-opening tour event.

On the 17th, the American golf media Golfweek reported that the LPGA informed Ko Jin-young of a $25,000 fine (approximately 31 million KRW) for not participating in the season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament. The season opener will be held over four days starting on the 19th (Korean time) at the Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, Florida, USA.

The LPGA has its own regulations that impose fines on players who have not participated in the same tournament even once in four years. Players are allowed to use a one-time exemption. If a player is fined and still does not participate, the fine can increase up to $35,000. The reason for this regulation is to protect the tournament and its sponsors.

However, there is a proviso. If a player cannot participate due to appropriate reasons such as injury, the fine is waived.

Ko Jin-young is reported to have immediately submitted a medical certificate to the LPGA stating that she cannot compete due to a wrist injury. The LPGA formally notifies fines regardless of the final decision. Therefore, since Ko Jin-young’s case falls under an exemption, it is unlikely that she will actually pay the fine. She plans to complete her treatment and participate in the second tournament of the season, the Honda Classic, held in Thailand on the 23rd of next month.

Minjee Lee (Australia) is also reported to have been fined for the same reason as Ko Jin-young. The exact reason for Minjee Lee’s absence has not been disclosed.

The Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament only allows players who have won an LPGA Tour event in the past two years to participate. However, many players skip the event due to issues such as low prize money and the next tournament being held a month later in Thailand.

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