Even the Stars Can't Escape... 'Survival Game'
South Korea's Men's and Women's Tours Begin Final Qualifying
Park Sunghyun, Choi Woonjeong, Ma Dasom and Song Gaeun Take the Stage
Kim Min-hwi, Hwang Inchun and Lee Junseok Vie for First-Division Tour Cards
South Korea's men's and women's tours are holding their final battle for survival.
The final stage of the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour's Qualifying Tournament and the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Tour Qualifying Tournament (QT) Final will take place over four days starting November 10.
The KLPGA Tour's final qualifying stage will be held on the East Course (par 72) at Muan Country Club in Jeollanam-do on November 10. A total of 127 players will compete: 100 who advanced through qualifying and 27 exempted directly into the final. The KPGA Tour QT Final will be held during the same period on the Tournament Course (par 72) at Gunsan Country Club in Jeollabuk-do. A total of 120 players will take part, including 38 exempted directly into the final.
Park Sung-hyun will vie for a spot on the top-tier KLPGA Tour in the final stage of qualifying. Photo courtesy of KLPGA.
View original imageThe path to playing on a regular tour next year is far from easy. For the KLPGA Tour, players' status is determined by their final qualifying rankings. They must finish in the top 30 to compete on the first division tour next year. On the KPGA Tour, only the top 41 will earn full-time status on the first division tour for the 2027 season.
The field includes players with impressive records. Former world No. 1 Park Sunghyun is competing. Park, who has 10 career wins on the KLPGA Tour, joined the U.S. Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour in 2017 and won twice in her first year, sweeping the Rookie of the Year, Player of the Year and money titles. After injuries cost her LPGA Tour status, she decided to return to South Korea.
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Also taking on the grueling competition are Choi Woonjeong, winner of the 2015 LPGA Tour Marathon Classic; Ma Dasom, who shared the most-wins title after claiming three victories on the KLPGA Tour in the 2024 season; Song Gaeun, the 2021 Rookie of the Year; and Hong Jiwon, winner of the 2023 Korea Women's Open.
Kim Min-hwi will compete to secure his playing rights at the KPGA Tour QT Final. Photo courtesy of KPGA.
View original imageThe KPGA Tour field also features several big names. Competing for their tour cards are Kim Min-hwi, who played on the U.S. PGA Tour; Hwang Inchun, a five-time winner on the KPGA Tour; Lee Junseok of Australia, winner of the 2021 Korea Open; Yang Heejun, last year's money leader on the second-tier Challenge Tour; and long hitter Kim Seungmin, who ranked first on the KPGA Tour in average driving distance this season.
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