KLPGA Championship Held Without Spectators... 'COVID-19 Prevention First' (Comprehensive)

Total Prize Money of 3 Billion KRW, Defending Champion Choi Hye-jin, Lee Bo-mi, Park Sung-hyun, Kim Se-young, Lee Jeong-eun 6 and Other Stars Gather

The KLPGA Championship will be held without spectators to ensure thorough COVID-19 prevention measures.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] The Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour will hold the KLPGA Championship without spectators.

On the 7th, KLPGA officially announced, "We have decided to hold the event without spectators, prioritizing the health and safety of players, tournament officials, and golf fans," adding, "The first major of this season, the KLPGA Championship, will be available through TV broadcast." Until now, after the tour was suspended due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), KLPGA had considered allowing gallery admission for the first tournament, the KLPGA Championship. It was taken into account that there had been no COVID-19 infections at domestic golf courses.

However, at a time when the COVID-19 situation has not yet been completely resolved, the opinion that it is appropriate to comply with government policies gained strength. The judgment was that the shock expected if a confirmed case occurs would be much greater than the benefits of allowing gallery admission, so there is no need to take the risk. KLPGA is preparing thorough quarantine guidelines equivalent to 'social distancing.' A response task force (TF) providing legal and medical advice has been formed.

An integrated manual covering detailed compliance guidelines by sector, including basic information and prevention rules for COVID-19, response methods in case of symptoms or confirmed cases, management of foreign players, and media coverage guidelines, has been created. Measures to completely block player movement from outsiders have been established. All players will submit a health questionnaire and undergo a fever check before being allowed to enter the tournament venue. Strong quarantine guidelines such as disinfecting equipment at each hole and maintaining a 2-meter distance between players will be enforced.

The KLPGA Championship will be held on the 14th at Lakewood Golf Club in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province. Supported by Hoban Group, Lakewood Golf Club, and SBS Golf, the total prize money has increased from 2.3 billion KRW to 3 billion KRW. The winner's prize is 220 million KRW. Top domestic players including defending champion Choi Hye-jin (21), Jang Ha-na (28), Lee Da-yeon (23), and Cho A-yeon (20) will all participate. Additionally, overseas players such as Lee Bo-mi (32), Park Sung-hyun (27), Kim Se-young (27), Lee Jeong-eun 6 (24), and Kim Hyo-joo (25) will also join the competition.