KPGA Schedule Change Timing Aligns... Jeju Hosts Official Tournament for the First Time
Seo Yo-seop and Kim Bi-o Challenge for Third Win at Bizplay Electronic Newspaper Open
Jeon In-ji, Jang Ha-na, and Park Min-ji Clash at Major KB Financial Star Championship
[Asia Economy Reporters Jang Hee-jun and Byun Seon-jin] Starting from the 15th, the Korean Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Korean Tour and the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour tournaments will be held simultaneously at golf courses with the same name.
The protagonist is 'Blackstone.' At Blackstone Jeju, the KPGA Korean Tour Bizplay Electronic Newspaper Open will take place. At the same time, the KB Financial Star Championship, the fourth major tournament of the KLPGA Tour season, will kick off at Blackstone Icheon. It is an unprecedented and exceptional event to hold men's and women's tournaments simultaneously at golf clubs under the same management.
The background of holding men's and women's tournaments together at a prestigious golf course that was strictly operated on a membership basis is close to coincidence. Blackstone Jeju initially planned to hold the event in October but had to change the schedule at KPGA's request. Among the options, there was a date that perfectly matched the timing of the tournament held in Icheon. Although there was some burden in moving the schedule forward, the operating entity, Blackstone Golf & Resort, decided that it could offer an interesting story to golf fans.
"Natural Beauty as It Is" Blackstone Jeju Surrounded by the Majestic Hallasan
"Nature is most beautiful when left as it is." This is the remark of architect Brian Costello, who designed Blackstone Jeju. Opened in 2006, this golf course retains the breathtaking scenery of Hallasan Mountain while overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean. The course consists of 27 holes, and this tournament will be held on the South and East courses (par 72). This is the first time the course has opened its doors to an official tournament.
The difficulty level of the tournament held at Blackstone Jeju is also a point of interest. The course is relatively long, making it challenging to get the ball onto the green and maintaining tension throughout the play. The signature hole is the 3rd hole on the East course, featuring a wide lake that adds both beauty and thrill. The narrow driver shot landing area (IP) requires concentration, which is another characteristic.
Since this is the first official tournament held at Blackstone Jeju, preparations were especially meticulous. According to the golf course, they have been closing the South and East courses one day at a time since last month to devote great effort to turf management. Another new point is the conversion of bunkers to a riveted form over the past three years. Walls made of British artificial mats have been built around all bunkers. Depending on where the ball lands, this is expected to have a significant impact.
An Soon-gi, head of Blackstone Jeju, said, "As this is the first tournament held here, we are both excited and very nervous. Since all staff have united and put in their utmost effort, we hope the players and fans will enjoy the event." He added, "We also hope this tournament will be an opportunity to contribute to the revival of Korean men's golf."
"One Mistake Can Cost 80 Strokes"... Blackstone Icheon, Where Even Veterans Cannot Relax
Blackstone Icheon is a familiar venue to golf fans, having hosted several major tournaments since its opening in 2010. The European Tour Valentine Championship was also held here. Although there was some resistance due to its closed membership operation, the company's CEO Won Ki-ryong was firm in his belief. His philosophy is that "hosting tournaments is an investment to elevate domestic golf courses and golf culture."
This tournament will be held on the North and West courses (par 72) out of the 27 holes. Like Blackstone Jeju, these courses were designed by Costello to preserve the natural landscape as much as possible. The dense growth of 350-year-old junipers, cypresses, and zelkova trees is an attractive sight. Since nature is well preserved, many unexpected points are hidden, adding fun to the competition. Golf queen Park In-bi (34) even exclaimed, "At Blackstone, it's not uncommon to score 80 strokes with just one slip."
The course length is 6,689 yards, which is not short. Moreover, the fairways are narrow and have many bends, so reckless attacks are forbidden. The greens are also undulating, so even if you succeed in getting on the green, you cannot relax. Especially this year, the rough is long and tough, making it difficult for players to create birdie opportunities.
Chae Cheol, head of Blackstone Icheon, said, "From the men's Live Championship held in spring to the women's Star Championship in autumn, the burden of preparing tournaments is not light, but we always do our best with a beginner's mind. Based on the various experiences accumulated from hosting international tournaments, we have worked to maximize not only the course difficulty but also the strengths of the club."
Seo Yo-seop and Kim Bi-o Challenge for Their Third Wins of the Season... "Title Defense" by Kang Kyung-nam
At the Bizplay Electronic Newspaper Open (total prize money 700 million KRW) held at Blackstone Jeju, Kim Bi-o (32) and Seo Yo-seop (26) will both challenge their first-ever 'third win of the season.' Both players have won twice this season and have records of two wins three times and two wins twice, respectively. A third multiple winner of the season may emerge after them. Yang Ji-ho (33) and Shin Yong-gu (31), who have each won once, are also contenders.
Last year's champion of this tournament, Kang Kyung-nam (39), will defend his title. Kang won a fierce playoff against Ok Tae-hoon (24) in the previous tournament. Since his tour debut in 2004, he has shown his 'strong heart' and holds a total of 11 wins, but he has never succeeded in defending a title, which is somewhat disadvantageous.
Five players from the Webcash Group, the main sponsor, will participate in the tournament, raising interest in whether a winner will emerge from among them. Kim Tae-hoon (37), the 2020 Genesis Award winner, Lee Won-jun (37), the inaugural champion of this tournament, Jeju native Hyun Jung-hyup (39), Jang Seung-bo (26), and Jeon Sung-hyun (29) will compete. Representing the five, Kim Tae-hoon said, "Since this is the main sponsor's tournament, expectations are high. My goal is, of course, to win."
'Genesis Points No.1' Kim Min-gyu (21) will not participate. His recovery period from a traffic accident has been prolonged, preventing his return. The winner of this tournament will receive 1,000 Genesis points, and the runner-up will receive 600 points. Kim Min-gyu leads with 4,124.97 points, closely pursued by Seo Yo-seop in second place by 191.27 points. Ok Tae-hoon (24), ranked fifth, is only 546.57 points behind the leader, so a shake-up is expected.
'Major Queen' Jeon In-ji Takes the Field... 'Defending Champ' Jang Ha-na, 'Top Money Earner' Park Min-ji
At the KLPGA Tour KB Financial Star Championship (total prize money 1.2 billion KRW), Jeon In-ji (28), known as a major hunter, will challenge her fourth career win. Jeon finished 10th in this tournament last year but announced her comeback in June this year by winning the KPMG Women's PGA Championship, a major on the LPGA Tour, for the first time in 3 years and 8 months. Jeon said, "This course does not suit me very well, but I will do my best to aim for the win."
The defending champion Jang Ha-na (30) is also formidable. With 15 career wins, Jang has struggled this season, making the cut in only 9 out of 19 tournaments, but she is determined to use this tournament as a turning point. Among active KLPGA Tour players, she holds the most major wins (4). There is also an expectation that Jang Ha-na, who plays with a free ball flight, may suit the Blackstone Icheon course well.
Whether Park Min-ji (24), who leads the money ranking, can consolidate her position is also a key point. Park won three tournaments in the first half of the season, establishing a near-monopoly on the money ranking. However, she has not won any additional tournaments in the past three months. Yoo Hae-ran (21) and Park Ji-young (26) are closely chasing her. The prize money for the winner of this tournament is 216 million KRW, and the 2nd and 3rd places are in a position to challenge the leader sufficiently.
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