KLPGA Championship: A Major Stage for the Next Generation of Stars
The BC Card · Hankyung 48th KLPGA Championship, the second major tournament of the 2026 season for the Korea Women’s Professional Golf (KLPGA) Tour, will be held from August 20 to 23 at the Pocheon Hills Country Club in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province. The total prize money is 1,500,000,000 won.
The aspirations of participating players were revealed at the photo call
On the 19th, a day before the start of the tournament, an official photo call was held. The event was attended by defending champion Hong Jeong-min (24), along with Seo Gyo-rim (20), Kim Min-sol (20), Park Hyun-gyeong (26), Kim Min-seon 7 (23), Yu Hyeon-jo (21), Go Ji-won (22), and Park Min-ji (28). The eight players gathered on the practice green of the tournament course, posing for photos and expressing their determination to help make the tournament a success and perform well.
A showdown for a fourth win of the season between rivals of the same age
In this tournament, Kim Min-sol and Seo Gyo-lim, both born in 2006 and considered the “top two” of this year’s tour, are attracting attention. They each have 3 wins, and a competition has formed to see who will be the first to achieve 4 wins.
Seo Geo-rim is aiming for a second consecutive victory and her fourth win of the season, following her victory at the Mediheal-Hankook Ilbo Championship last weekend. The two players will directly compete for the best results of the season on this prestigious major stage. Mediheal-Hankook Ilbo Championship.
Defending champion Hong Jeong-min’s title defense
Hong Jung-min won her first major title at the KLPGA Championship, held at the Lake Wood CC in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, in May of last year. Hong Jung-min, who is the defending champion in this tournament, achieved her first stroke play victory and first major victory in last year’s competition.
However, Hong Jeong-min, who won the prize money title in the 2025 season, is not in good condition this season due to an injury. He participated in 12 races, but only completed half of them, resulting in a ranking of 50th in season prize money and 43rd in the overall points standings. There are still challenges that need to be overcome to continue the honor of his first major victory.
Park Min-ji’s challenge to the historical record
Park Min-ji, who has won the BC Card·Hankyung Ladies Cup held at Pocheon Hills CC in 2022 and 2023, will achieve two unprecedented records if she wins the KLPGA Championship: “the first player in KLPGA Tour history with a total of 21 wins” and “the first player in KLPGA Tour history to win four different major tournaments.”
Meaning and traditions of the KLPGA Championship
The KLPGA Championship, which began with the launch of the KLPGA in 1978, is co-hosted by Korea Economic Daily and BC Card, and is known as the “BC Card · Korea Economic Daily KLPGA Championship.” Including the first champion, the late Han Myung-hyun, as well as Kang Choon-ja, the late Ku Ok-hee, Go Woo-soon, Kim Soon-mi, Kim Mi-hyun, Bae Gyeong-eun, Lee Ji-young, Choi Na-yeon, and Shin Ji-ae, many stars who represent their respective eras have competed at this tournament.
The number of participants decreased by 9 from last year, totaling 123 people. The winner will be determined through 4 rounds (72 holes). It is expected that a new champion will emerge from the intense competition among highly competitive players.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. When and where will the KLPGA Championship be held?
A. The BC Card·Hankyung 48th KLPGA Championship will be held from August 20 to 23, 2026, at the Pocheon Hills Country Club in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province.
Q. Which are the notable participants?
A. Including defending champion Hong Jeong-min, Kim Min-sol and Seo Gyo-rim, who have each recorded 3 wins this season, are aiming for their 4th win. Also participating are star players with diverse experience, such as Park Hyun-kyung and Park Min-ji.
Q. What is the total prize money for this tournament?
A. The total prize money is 1,500,000,000 won, and the winner’s prize is 270,000,000 won.
Q. What is the significance of the match between Kim Min-sol and Seo Gyo-rim?
A. Both players have recorded 3 wins this season, and they are aiming for a 4th win in this tournament. They are competing in a bid to set a new record for the most wins in a KLPGA Tour rookie season
Q. How long has the KLPGA Championship been running?
A. This tournament, which began in 1978 with the establishment of the KLPGA, is the oldest major tournament in the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Tour, and many golf stars have won the championship.
Q. What records will Minji Park achieve if she wins?
A. If Minji Park wins, she will simultaneously achieve two historical records: becoming the first player in KLPGA Tour history with a total of 21 wins, and winning four different major tournaments.
