Hyun-Kyung Park, Will She Surpass 1 Billion Won in Season Prize Money?

Season's Third Major Tournament Hanwha Classic Opens
Prize Money 306 Million KRW, Largest in KLPGA
Leading Prize Money Ranking with 3 Wins This Year

‘Box Office Maker’ Park Hyun-kyung is aiming to surpass 1 billion KRW in season prize money.

Park Hyun-kyung aims to surpass 1 billion KRW in season prize money at the Hanwha Classic.
[Photo by KLPGA]

The Hanwha Classic, part of the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, will be held on the 22nd at Jade Palace Golf Club in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province (par 72, 6,797 yards). It is the third major tournament of the year. The total prize money is 1.7 billion KRW, with the winner’s prize reaching 306 million KRW. This is the highest prize money offered on the KLPGA Tour. Due to the enormous prize, this tournament is the most coveted for players to win. In addition to the winner’s prize, the champion will receive a TAG Heuer Carrera Gold watch worth approximately 6 million KRW and a Raorao Bay Resort voucher worth about 5 million KRW.

Park Hyun-kyung has accumulated a total of 9 wins (including 2 majors) on the KLPGA Tour. She is currently in her prime this year. She has finished in the top 10 nine times, including three victories. She has earned 928.55 million KRW in prize money, ranking first in this category. If she wins the Hanwha Classic, she will not only surpass 1 billion KRW in season earnings but also set the stage to break the season prize money record of 1.52137 billion KRW set by Park Min-ji in 2021. Last year, Park Hyun-kyung finished tied for 10th in this tournament, boosting her confidence in tackling the Jade Palace Golf Club course.

Yoo Yi-na, the season’s breakout star, has finished within the top 5 six times, including one victory, accumulating 761.43 million KRW (2nd place). If she wins the Hanwha Classic, she will exceed 1 billion KRW and strengthen her position in the race for the prize money title. Lee Ye-won, who has won three times this season, has earned 723.14 million KRW (3rd place). She aims to surpass 1 billion KRW in season earnings and reclaim the top spot in the prize money rankings. She is also determined to erase the disappointment of finishing runner-up in this tournament last year.

In addition to these three players, many overseas tour players will participate. Leading the group is Hara Erika, who has won 5 times on the Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association (JLPGA) Tour, along with Kamiya Sora and Kanazawa Shina (both from Japan). Lee Min-young and Ahn Shin-ae, who compete on the JLPGA Tour, as well as Japan’s youngest winner Lee Hyo-song, are also on the entry list. Furthermore, Ji Eun-hee and Sung Yu-jin, who play on the U.S. Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour and are members of Hanwha Q CELLS, will join the field.

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