KLPGA Championship Held Without Spectators... 'COVID-19 Prevention First'

by Roh Woolae

Published 06 May.2020 17:42(KST)

The KLPGA Championship will be held without spectators to ensure thorough COVID-19 prevention measures.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] The Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour will hold the KLPGA Championship without spectators.

On the 6th, Park Jin-woo, head of the KLPGA Strategic Marketing Team, stated, "The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters announced a policy to gradually allow spectators at professional sports events," adding, "Considering this, we are reviewing holding the KLPGA Championship without spectators." Since the tour was suspended due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the KLPGA had been considering allowing gallery attendance for the first tournament, the KLPGA Championship. It was taken into account that there have been no COVID-19 infections reported at domestic golf courses.

However, as the COVID-19 situation has not yet been completely resolved, the opinion that actively complying with government policies is the right approach gained strength. The judgment was that the potential shock from a confirmed case occurring would be far greater than the benefits of allowing spectators, so there is no need to take the risk. The KLPGA is preparing unprecedented quarantine measures. They have devised a plan to completely separate player movement routes from outsiders.

All participating players will be required to submit a health questionnaire and undergo a temperature check before being allowed entry to the tournament venue. Strong quarantine guidelines such as disinfecting equipment at each hole and maintaining a 2-meter distance between players will be implemented. The KLPGA Championship will be held on the 14th at Lakewood Golf Club in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province. Top domestic players including Choi Hye-jin (21), Jang Ha-na (28), Lee Da-yeon (23), and Cho A-yeon (20) will all participate. Additionally, Lee Bo-mi (32), Park Sung-hyun (27), Kim Se-young (27), Lee Jeong-eun 6 (24), and Kim Hyo-joo (25) will also join the field.