Shinhan Donghae Open Total Prize Money 1.4 Billion Won 'Big Jackpot Chance'
Jang Yubin, Kim Gyumin, Go Guntak, Ishikawa All Out
Major KB Financial Star Championship 1.2 Billion Won Scale
Park Jiyoung, Lee Yewon, Park Hyunkyung, Bae Sohyun Compete for 4 Wins
It's a money festival. A 'war of money' is unfolding on the domestic green. The 40th Shinhan Donghae Open of the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Tour and the KB Financial Star Championship of the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour are taking place.
Jang Yubin aims to win the Shinhan Donghae Open, a tournament sponsored by his sponsor. [Photo by KPGA]
The Shinhan Donghae Open will be held for four days starting from the 5th at Club72 Ocean Course (par 72, 7,204 yards) in Incheon. It is a prestigious tournament jointly hosted by the KPGA, Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO), and the Asian Tour. The total prize money is 1.4 billion KRW, with the winner's prize set at 252 million KRW. Except for the Genesis Championship (total prize money of 4 million USD), co-hosted by the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour), this tournament offers the largest prize money.
The Shinhan Donghae Open features the best domestic players. Jang Yu-bin, who is first in the Genesis Award points with 5,177 points, will participate in the sponsor's tournament. The Shinhan Donghae Open awards bonus points for the Genesis Award. If Jang Yu-bin wins, he can earn 1,200 points, solidifying his lead in the points race. Jang Yu-bin said, "This is the first time since my professional debut that I am playing in a tournament hosted by my main sponsor. I am nervous, but since I am maintaining good condition, I believe good results will follow."
Kim Min-kyu challenges for his third win of the season at the Shinhan Donghae Open, a premier tournament. [Photo by KPGA]
Kim Min-gyu, who leads in prize money (806.6 million KRW) and wins (2 victories), cannot be overlooked. He claimed the top spot at the Descent Korea Match Play and the Kolon Korean Open in June. If he adds another trophy in this 'big match,' he can get closer to becoming the top winner and prize money leader. He will also set a milestone as the first in KPGA history to surpass 1 billion KRW in season prize money. Defending champion Ko Gun-taek is also a strong contender. After winning last year's tournament, he earned the right to participate in the Asian Tour and JGTO, expanding his playing field. Ko Gun-taek said firmly, "After last year's win, competing with players from the Asian Tour and Japan Tour has boosted my confidence. My goal is obviously to win."
Lee Seung-taek, who won the Lexus Masters last week, is challenging for back-to-back titles. The tournament will also feature Japanese golf star Ishikawa Ryo and last year's runner-up Patchara Kongwatmai (Thailand), who will compete in a shot battle. Yoo Min-hyeok (Seogang High School), a national training squad member who earned a spot by winning the Shinhan Donghae Amateur Championship on the 2nd of last month, will compete against professional players.
Jiyoung Park aims to secure her fourth win at the major tournament KB Financial Star Championship. [Photo by KLPGA]
During the same period, the KB Financial Star Championship, the fourth major tournament of the KLPGA Tour season, will be held at Blackstone Icheon Golf Club (par 72, 6,689 yards) in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province. The total prize money is 1.2 billion KRW, with the winner's prize at 216 million KRW. The tournament's hole-in-one prizes are also attractive. A prize will be awarded to any player who records the first hole-in-one on all par-3 holes. The player who makes a hole-in-one on the 13th hole will receive a 'Rise ETF financial product' worth about 100 million KRW. On the 3rd hole, the prize includes a Kojima massage chair and a Bangolf iron set worth 10 million KRW, and on the 7th hole, a Duxiana premium bed set worth 40 million KRW is offered. For the 16th hole, a Mercedes-Benz E-Class vehicle worth 74 million KRW will be awarded as the hole-in-one prize.
All four players who have each won three times this year will participate. Park Ji-young, who made a spectacular comeback after appendix surgery, aims to capture both her fourth win of the season and defend her title. She is tied for the most wins, ranks first in prize money (986.1 million KRW), first in average score (69.59 strokes), and second in the Genesis Award points (398 points). Park Ji-young said, "Although many titles are at stake in this tournament, I will not be conscious of that. Since my shot sense and condition are good right now, I will focus only on my play without being greedy."
Lee Ye-won challenges her fourth win of the season at the KB Financial Star Championship, a sponsored tournament. [Photo by KLPGA]
Besides Park Ji-young, Lee Ye-won, Park Hyun-kyung, and Bae So-hyun will compete in the race to reach four wins first. Lee Ye-won is aiming for a pleasant victory in the sponsor's tournament. She said, "This tournament is the one I want to perform best in all year. Since I personally like the Blackstone Icheon course, I want to prepare hard and play without regrets." Lee Ye-won finished as runner-up last year, following Park Ji-young.
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