'Tank' Choi Kyung-Ju Returns... 'Come Visit Ferrum Club'

Host Choi Kyung-Ju Competes in the Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Invitational
At 56, Set for Battle Against Younger Contenders
Star-Studded Field Includes Jang Woo-Ham, Yubin Jang, and Chan Choi

'Tank' Choi Kyung-Ju greets domestic fans for the first time in a year.

Choi Kyung-Ju will compete in the Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Choi Kyung-Ju Invitational on the Korea Professional Golfers’ Association (KPGA) Tour, held at Ferrum Club (par 72) in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province from October 1 to 4. This marks his return to the domestic tour, a year after his last appearance at this tournament in September 2025.

This tournament is co-hosted by Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance and the Choi Kyung-Ju Foundation, with Choi serving as the host. The total purse is KRW 1.25 billion, with the winner receiving KRW 250 million. Ferrum Club, the host course, is a high-difficulty course featuring strategically placed bunkers and water hazards. Driving distance is important, but only players with precise shot-making are likely to secure par on this challenging track.

Kyung-Ju Choi competes with juniors at the Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Kyung-Ju Choi Invitational. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

As the host, Choi Kyung-Ju has added his name to the field again this year, taking on competition from younger players. With 17 career KPGA Tour wins, the oldest champion in KPGA Tour history (at 54, winning the 2024 SK Telecom Open), and the first Korean to win on the United States PGA Tour, he is a “legend” who represents Korean men's golf. On the PGA Tour, he has notched eight career victories—including the prestigious fifth major, The Players Championship—and two wins on the PGA Tour Champions for competitors aged 50 and above.

Choi Kyung-Ju turned 56 this year. He continues to prove his competitiveness on the PGA Tour Champions. In 2026, he has played in 19 tournaments, made the cut 18 times, finished in the top 10 twice, and finished in the top 25 on six occasions.

Jang Jungwoo challenges his third victory at the Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Cho Kyungju Invitational. Provided by KPGA

Younger Korean players are ready to defend their home turf. The strongest favorite for the title is Jang Woo-Ham, who has four career KPGA Tour wins, and claimed victory at the Choi Kyung-Ju Invitational at Ferrum Club in both 2021 and 2023. Rising stars Yubin Jang and Choi Chan, each with two wins this season, are also in formidable form. Defending champion Jeon Garam will seek to retain his title.

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