'Cheonan Outing' Siwoo Kim: "My Goal Is to Win"

Genesis Championship Kicks Off at Woojeong Hills on the 23rd
First Appearance in a Pure Domestic Tournament in Nine Years Draws Attention
"I'm Truly Happy to Play in Korea Again"

Siwoo Kim, a member of the PGA Tour, will compete in a Korea Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Tour event for the first time in three years.

He will participate in the Genesis Championship, co-hosted by the KPGA Tour and DP World Tour, which opens on the 23rd at Woojeong Hills Country Club in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province. The total prize money for the event is 4 million dollars. This marks Kim's first appearance in a domestic tour event since the 38th Shinhan Donghae Open, which was jointly hosted by the Korean, Japanese, and Asian Tours at Koma Country Club in Nara, Kansai, Japan, in 2022, three years ago. As for a pure KPGA Tour event, it is his first time since the Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Choi Kyungju Invitational held at 88 Country Club in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, in 2016. For Korean golf fans, this will be his first appearance in nine years.

Siwoo Kim will participate in the Genesis Championship of the KLPGA Tour, which opens on the 23rd at Cheonan Woojeong Hills. Photo by KPGA

This will be the first time in 14 years that Kim plays at Woojeong Hills Country Club. As an amateur, he competed in the 54th Kolon Korea Open in 2011 and finished tied for 54th place. Kim recalled, "It was a really valuable experience at the time. Thanks to the challenging course setup at Woojeong Hills Country Club, I was able to learn a lot," adding, "This time, I will play more strategically, drawing on the experience I gained from the PGA Tour. Accuracy off the tee and putting are especially important on this course."

Kim expressed his excitement, saying, "I'm truly happy to play in Korea after such a long time," and promised, "I will do my best to deliver a great performance." He continued, "I believe the Genesis Championship has established itself as a top-tier tournament. Watching the broadcast, I could tell that both the tournament management and course setup are of world-class quality. It's an honor to participate, and I have high expectations." He added, "As always, my goal is to win," and emphasized, "Rather than focusing on the result, I will concentrate on my own play during the tournament."

The winner of this tournament will receive 680,000 dollars in prize money, 1,300 Genesis points, 835 Race to Dubai ranking points, and a two-year exemption for both the KPGA Tour and DP World Tour. Additionally, the champion will be awarded a Genesis vehicle and an invitation to the 2026 Genesis Scottish Open. Kim commented, "This is a tremendous opportunity for KPGA Tour players," and added, "It can serve as a springboard to the global stage."

Kim has secured a total of four victories on the PGA Tour, including a win at The Players Championship, often referred to as the 'fifth major.' This year, he played in 28 tournaments and finished in the top 10 twice. His best individual results were tied for eighth at the RBC Heritage in April and at the PGA Championship, a major, in May. He finished the current PGA Tour season ranked 37th in the FedExCup standings.

Kim stated, "My goal for next season is to consistently finish in the top 10. The biggest goal is to win a major tournament," adding, "I will manage my physical and mental condition throughout the season so I can bring good news to everyone."

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