Bae So-hyun Set to Defend Aurora World Championship Title
Bae So-hyun will bid for a second consecutive victory at the Aurora World Championship, the final event of the first half of the 2026 KLPGA Tour season. The inaugural champion last year, Bae is aiming to defend her title and claim the fifth win of her career on a course she knows well.
$1 Million Purse on Offer in Wonju
According to the KLPGA, the 2026 Aurora World Championship will be held from July 30 to Aug. 2 at Aurora Golf & Resort in Wonju, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. The total purse is 1 billion won, with 180 million won going to the winner.
The tournament will be played over 72 holes of stroke play on a par-72, 6,620-yard layout combining the Mountain and Lake courses. A field of 120 top players will compete for the final championship trophy of the first half of the season.
Inaugural Champion Bae So-hyun Seeks Second Straight Win
In the final round of the 2025 Aurora World Ladies Championship, Bae So-hyun carded a bogey-free 5-under 67 with five birdies. Her 19-under 269 total gave her a one-shot victory over Sung Yu-jin and Go Ji-won and made her the tournament’s inaugural champion.
The victory marked Bae’s first win of the 2025 season and the fourth of her KLPGA Tour career. A successful title defense in 2026 would make her the first player to win the Aurora World Championship in consecutive years and give her five career victories.
Bae said through the KLPGA that she used the break to sharpen her ball-striking and putting. She is focused on her tee shots and short game, tailoring her preparation to the course as she looks to remain in contention for the title.
Longer Course and Narrower Fairways Add to the Challenge
The tournament layout at Aurora Golf & Resort has been lengthened from 6,509 yards last year to 6,620 yards. The fairways are narrower and the rough is longer, placing an even greater premium on accurate tee shots and disciplined course management.
With numerous dogleg holes, the position of a player’s tee shot is likely to have a major impact on the difficulty of the approach. Bae’s experience on the course, where she won last year, and her precise short game are expected to be key to her title defense.
Go Ji-won, Seo Gyo-rim and Other Contenders Set to Compete
The challengers looking to prevent Bae from winning back-to-back titles are formidable. Go Ji-won, winner of the most recent event, the 2026 High1 Resort Ladies Open, will seek a second consecutive victory, while Seo Gyo-rim, a two-time winner this season, is also considered a leading contender.
They will be joined by Go Ji-won, Yoo Hyun-jo, Bang Shin-sil, Lee Ye-won, Lim Jin-young, Park Min-ji and Park Hyun-kyung. A fierce battle for the title is expected as the defending champion’s course knowledge meets the momentum of her in-form challengers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which tournament is Bae So-hyun seeking to win for a second straight year?
Bae So-hyun is seeking to defend her title and win for a second consecutive year at the 2026 Aurora World Championship on the KLPGA Tour.
When will the 2026 Aurora World Championship be held?
The tournament will run for four days, from July 30 to Aug. 2, 2026.
Where will the tournament be held, and what is the format?
It will be held at Aurora Golf & Resort in Wonju, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, and will be played over 72 holes of stroke play on a par-72, 6,620-yard course.
What are the total purse and winner’s prize at the Aurora World Championship?
The total purse is 1 billion won, and the winner will receive 180 million won.
What score did Bae So-hyun post to win last year?
Bae So-hyun finished at 19-under 269 in the 2025 tournament, beating co-runners-up Sung Yu-jin and Go Ji-won by one shot to become the inaugural champion.
