KLPGA to Award Additional Points to 'Major Winners' for Grand Prize

by Lee Seohee

Published 01 Feb.2023 13:59(KST)

Increase Winner's Score and Establish Separate Points for Major Tournaments
Revise IQT Regulations and Adjust Dream Tour Prize Money Rates

The target points awarded to winners of major tournaments on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour will be increased starting from the 2024 season.

According to KLPGA on the 1st, the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Tour (KLPGT) decided at the first KLPGT board meeting held on the 31st of last month to raise the target points given to winners and to assign separate points for major tournaments. The prize money brackets were also realistically adjusted to match the expanded prize money scale.

KLPGA logo
Photo by KLPGA

Under the revised policy, from the 2024 season, winners of tournaments with prize money under 800 million KRW will receive 50 points; those with prize money between 800 million KRW and under 1 billion KRW will receive 60 points; between 1 billion KRW and under 1.2 billion KRW will receive 70 points; between 1.2 billion KRW and under 1.5 billion KRW will receive 80 points; and over 1.5 billion KRW will receive 90 points. For major tournaments, separate points will be allocated with 100 points for the winner, 50 points for second place, and 48 points for third place.

The key feature of the revised policy is doubling the point gap between first and second place and establishing exclusive points for major tournaments. Accordingly, the target competition is expected to become more advantageous for 'major tournament winners.' The Rookie of the Year award will have the same prize money brackets as the target points without any point adjustments.

Additionally, a new regulation has been introduced for KLPGA-sanctioned tournaments where players who are disqualified or withdraw will not have their records (such as hole-in-ones, eagles, albatrosses, daily bests, course records, etc.) recognized for that round. Injuries will also not be eligible for recognition. This regulation will be applied immediately from this season.

The International Qualifying Tournament (IQT) regulations have also been significantly revised. From now on, winners of the IQT will be granted KLPGA regular tour membership for the following season. This regulation will be applied starting from the 2024 season based on the 2023 season results.