[Golf Topic] KLPGA Tour "Season's First Major KLPGA Championship Canceled"

The view of the green at the 18th hole on the final day of last year's KLPGA Championship.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] ○…The Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour has canceled the season's first major tournament due to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

On the 3rd, the KLPGA Tour announced, "We are canceling the KLPGA Championship at the end of April and the Kyochon Honey Ladies Open in early May." They added, "After discussions with the title sponsors of the two tournaments, Chris F&C and Kyochon F&B, we decided to cancel the events considering the health and safety of players, tournament officials, and golf fans." This marks the sixth consecutive tournament cancellation following the Taiwan Ladies Open in March, the Lotte Rent-a-Car Ladies Open, Celltrion Queens Masters, and Nexen Saintnine Masters in April.

The KLPGA Championship was scheduled to be held from April 30 at Lakewood Golf Club in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province. The tournament, with a total prize money of 1 billion KRW, had defending champion Choi Hye-jin (21, Lotte). The KLPGA Tour stated, "We will continue to cooperate with the government, local governments, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, and other related organizations regarding the rapidly changing national crisis situation." The next tournament is planned for May 15 at Suwon Golf Club in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, the NH Investment & Securities Ladies Championship.