Long Hitter Kim Minbyeol, Full-On Attack Mode
by Roh Woolae
Published 30 Sep.2025 06:00(KST)
Updated 30 Sep.2025 07:53(KST)
Aiming for Back-to-Back Wins at the Dongbu Construction-Korea Land Trust Championship
The Only Modified Stableford Format Event on the Korean Women's Tour
"I'm Excited to Compete as the Defending Champion"
A tournament well-suited for long hitter Kim Minbyeol is about to take place.
From October 1, the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour Dongbu Construction-Korea Land Trust Championship, with a total prize fund of 1 billion won, will be held over four days at Iksan Country Club (par 72) in Iksan, North Jeolla Province. Kim Minbyeol is known for her aggressive play. This tournament is played in a modified Stableford format, the only event on the KLPGA Tour to use this system. The Dongbu Construction-Korea Land Trust Championship starts on Wednesday and ends on Saturday, taking into account the Chuseok holiday period.
Minbyeol Kim aims for a second consecutive win at the Dongbu Construction-Korea Land Trust Championship. Photo by KLPGA
원본보기 아이콘In the modified Stableford format, rankings are determined not by total strokes but by points awarded for each hole score. A par is worth 0 points, a birdie 2 points, an eagle 5 points, and an albatross 8 points-the more strokes a player gains, the higher the score. A bogey is minus 1 point, and a double bogey or worse is minus 3 points. Because the points for reducing strokes are much greater than the points lost for mistakes, this format favors aggressive players.
Kim Minbyeol, who was named Rookie of the Year in 2023 without a single win, celebrated her first KLPGA Tour victory at this very tournament last year. This time, she is aiming for both a second consecutive win at the event and her first victory of the season. Her shots have been heating up recently. In the final round of the season’s last major, the Hite Jinro Championship, which concluded last week, she briefly took the lead and ultimately finished fourth. Her trademark precise shots have returned, and her putting is also at its peak. She has played in 16 tournaments this year, making the cut in all of them and finishing in the top 10 five times.
Kim Minbyeol said, "I'm very excited because this is my first time competing as the defending champion," adding, "My shots are getting better and my condition is good, so I really want to perform well." She continued, "I will look for birdie opportunities. I plan to play boldly and aggressively," expressing her determination.
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