40 Years of the Korea Women's Open: Growing with Sponsors from Media Outlets to Global Brands

Early Media Sponsorship and 10 Million Won Prize Fund

Tournament Canceled in 1998 Due to IMF Financial Crisis

Rapid Growth Through Long-Term Sponsorship by Taeyoung, Kia Motors, and DB Group

Mercedes-Benz Korea Becomes Main Sponsor for Three Years Starting This Year

The Korea Women's Open, the most prestigious national title tournament in Korean women's golf, celebrates its 40th edition this year. Beginning with a total prize fund of 10 million won, the tournament has grown alongside the support of leading domestic companies, mirroring the development of women's golf in Korea. Originally launched with the backing of media sponsors, the event evolved into a stage for major corporations and global brands to take on the title sponsorship, thereby elevating the status of Korean women's golf.

According to the Korea Golf Association and other sources on June 12, the Korea Women's Open was launched in 1985 as the women's division affiliated with the men's Korea Open, then held its first official tournament in 1987. This year's event kicked off on June 11 at Lakewood Country Club in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province.

In the early years, media outlets stepped in as sponsors. The inaugural tournament was sponsored by Maeil Business Newspaper and Dong Sung Chemical. The total prize fund was 10 million won, with the winner receiving 3 million won. The event, held at Gold Country Club in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, featured 58 participants, and Kang Choonja was crowned the first champion.

Maeil Business Newspaper continued its sponsorship through the fourth edition in 1990, followed by Leisure Newspaper, which supported the sixth and seventh editions. From the mid-1990s, Korean companies began to participate more actively as sponsors. After Hanssem Pursys (1994-1995), the 10th edition in 1996 was jointly sponsored by LG Fashion, Sports Chosun, and Chosun Ilbo. This tournament marked the first time the total prize fund surpassed 100 million won (110.5 million won), increasing its scale. Subsequently, companies such as Lotte, Astra, Sports Today, and Ramada Plaza Jeju Hotel joined as sponsors, contributing to the tournament's growth.

However, the journey was not always smooth. Due to the aftermath of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) financial crisis in 1998, organizers were unable to secure sponsors, and the 12th edition was not held.

Yoon Se-young, founder chairman of Taeyoung Group, sponsored the Korea Women's Open for seven years from 2005 to 2011. Provided by Blue One

The Korea Women's Open entered a full-fledged growth phase starting in 2005. Beginning with the 19th edition, Taeyoung Group became the main sponsor, marking a significant leap in the tournament's scale. Notably, Yoon Se-young, the founder of Taeyoung Group, later served as president of the Korea Golf Association, contributing to the expansion of the sport's base. Taeyoung Group continued its sponsorship for seven years through 2011, raising the total prize fund to 500 million won and the winner's prize to 130 million won.

From 2012, Kia Motors took over the baton. Kia sponsored the tournament for nine years until 2020, enhancing the brand value of the Korea Women's Open. The event was held at top-tier courses such as Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea and Bears Best Cheongna, with the total prize fund steadily increasing. The 34th edition in 2020 marked the first time the total prize fund reached 1 billion won, and the winner's prize rose to 250 million won.

Kia Motors increased the total prize money for the Korean Women's Open to 1 billion won. Provided by KLPGA

From 2021 through last year, DB Group served as the title sponsor. The Korea Women's Open was held at Rainbow Hills Country Club in Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province, owned by DB Group. The tournament featured a total prize fund of 1.2 billion won and a winner's prize of 300 million won. Rainbow Hills is known as a course designed by world-renowned golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr.

Starting this year, Mercedes-Benz Korea has become the title sponsor through 2028. In line with the tournament's prestige, the total prize fund has been raised to 1.5 billion won, and the winner's prize to 400 million won, the highest on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour. The winner also receives invitations to the AIG Women's Open and the Japan Women's Open Championship, the national title tournament in Japan.

DB Group hosted the Korea Women's Open at Rainbow Hills, the top tournament course, for five years until last year. Photo by DB Group

Mercedes-Benz Korea also operates a variety of brand programs. The winner receives a car and a champion's jacket created in collaboration with the luxury performance golf wear brand Boss Golf. The winner's caddie is given a one-year car lease, and hole-in-one prizes include vehicles such as the E-Class and CLE.

The 40-year history of the Korea Women's Open is also a history of its sponsors. The ongoing investment and support from these companies have provided the foundation for the growth of Korean women's golf and have firmly established the Korea Women's Open as the nation's most prestigious national title tournament.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.