What Is the KLPGA Championship?
One of the marquee major championships on the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, the BC Card·Hankyung 48th KLPGA Championship will be held over four days from Aug. 20–23, 2026, at Pocheon Hills Country Club in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province. The tournament will offer a total purse of 1.5 billion won, with the winner’s prize increasing slightly from 234 million won last year to 270 million won this year. Played over four rounds and 72 holes, the event is expected to feature 123 players.
48 Years of Tradition: The History of the KLPGA Championship
The KLPGA Championship began on Sept. 20, 1978, alongside the launch of the KLPGA, making its history virtually inseparable from the development of women’s golf in Korea. From inaugural champion the late Han Myung-hyun to the late Ku Ok-hee, Shin Ji-ae and Park Min-ji, many of Korea’s biggest stars have built their careers by winning a major title on this stage. One of the most tradition-rich events on the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Tour, the championship began awarding official prize money in 1984. The purse has grown from 2 million won at the time to 1.5 billion won today.
The tournament’s record book is equally impressive. The late Ku Ok-hee won three consecutive titles from 1980, setting the record for the most successive victories, while Ko Woo-soon holds the record for most wins at the event, having lifted the trophy four times. This year’s championship will be staged for the first time at the new venue, Pocheon Hills Country Club, adding the latest site to the 22 golf courses that have hosted the KLPGA Championship.
Park Min-ji’s Historic Challenge
The player attracting the most attention this year is Park Min-ji. After winning the Sh Suhyup Bank MBN Women’s Open on May 31 to claim her 20th career victory, Park would make history with a 21st KLPGA Tour win if she triumphs at the KLPGA Championship. She would also complete a rare sweep of all four major championships. Park currently shares the tour’s all-time wins record of 20 with the late Ku Ok-hee and Shin Ji-ae.
Having overcome health problems over the past two years, Park has regained her form this season and emerged as one of the favorites. She has already won three different majors—the 2021 Korea Women’s Open, the 2022 KB Financial Star Championship and the HiteJinro Championship. A victory at the KLPGA Championship would complete her major grand slam.
Leading Contenders and Players to Watch
The notable players in the field include Park Hyun-kyung, Park Sung-hyun, Seo Gyo-rim, Kim Min-sol, Lee Da-yeon, Park Min-ji, Hong Jung-min, Yoo Hyun-joo, Lee Jeong-min and Bang Shin-sil. Last year’s KLPGA Championship winner, Hong Jung-min, will look to defend her title as the defending champion. Park Hyun-kyung, the 2020 and 2021 champion, brings considerable experience, while young players such as Kim Min-sol and Seo Gyo-rim, who each won once last season, will be aiming to add another title.
Key Storylines at This Major
To fully appreciate the KLPGA Championship, keep a close eye on each player’s ball-striking and putting. Major championships are known for demanding course setups, making strategic play a crucial part of the path to victory. The ability to read the best way to play each hole and manage risk will be particularly important.
It will also be essential to assess each player’s recent fitness and form. Several players showed signs of physical fatigue at the previous tournament, so managing energy and maintaining focus over all four rounds could prove decisive.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q. When was the KLPGA Championship first held?
A. The KLPGA Championship began on Sept. 20, 1978, alongside the launch of the KLPGA. It is the oldest major championship in Korean women’s golf. It was initially known as the ‘KLPGA Championship’ and was renamed in 2010. - Q. What record would Park Min-ji set if she wins this year?
A. Park would record her 21st career victory and become the first outright leader in KLPGA Tour wins. She would also complete a grand slam by winning all four major championships. - Q. How much is the prize money at the KLPGA Championship?
A. The total purse for this year’s BC Card·Hankyung 48th KLPGA Championship is 1.5 billion won, with 270 million won going to the winner. The purse has increased more than 67-fold from the 2 million won awarded when official prize money was first introduced in 1984. - Q. Why is this year’s KLPGA Championship being held at a new venue?
A. Starting this year, the BC Card·Hankyung Ladies Cup and the KLPGA Championship have been consolidated, leading to the selection of Pocheon Hills Country Club as the host venue. It is the newest addition among the 22 golf courses that have hosted the KLPGA Championship. - Q. What distinguishes a major championship?
A. Major championships typically feature more difficult course setups than regular Tour events, along with larger purses and greater prestige. As a result, they demand even greater precision and mental toughness from the players. - Q. Why is Hong Jung-min a particularly notable player in this tournament?
A. Hong Jung-min won last year’s KLPGA Championship and is returning as the defending champion. Successfully retaining the title would give her back-to-back victories on a major-championship stage, making the achievement especially significant.
