Kim Mingyu: "My Goal This Year Is to Secure a Spot at The Open"

Aiming for Second Consecutive Korea Open Title
Victory Secures Spot at The Open in July
Course Change from Woojeong Hills to La Vie Est Belle Presents New Challenge

Kim Mingyu is aiming for his second consecutive Korea Open victory.

His motivation comes from a strong desire to compete in The Open. He will participate in the 67th Kolon Korea Open (total prize money: 1.4 billion KRW), which will be held from May 22 at the La Vie Est Belle Golf & Resort Dunes Course (par 71, 7,426 yards) in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province. Along with the KPGA Championship, the Korea Open, which began in 1958, is the national title event in Korea. It is a stage of tradition and honor where every Korean golfer dreams of victory. The winner's prize is a substantial 500 million KRW. Winning this tournament would immediately put a player at the top of the Korean Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Tour money rankings.

Mingyu Kim is posing for a commemorative photo with the trophy placed on his knee immediately after winning last year's Korea Open. Kolon Korea Open Organizing Committee

Kim Mingyu is more interested in earning a spot at The Open than in the winner's prize money. Because the Korea Open also serves as a regional qualifier for The Open, the winner earns a place in The Open, which will be held in July. Although Kim Mingyu moved his main stage to the DP World Tour this year, he has not yet secured a spot in The Open. It is not easy to qualify for The Open based on DP World Tour results alone.

Kim Mingyu has competed in The Open twice, after winning the Korea Open in both 2022 and last year. In 2022, he missed the cut, but last year he performed well, finishing tied for 31st. He said, "For me, earning a spot in The Open is more important than the Korea Open winner's prize money." If he wins this year's Korea Open, he will become the first player in nine years to win back-to-back titles since Lee Kyunghoon in 2015 and 2016. He would also become only the second player to win the tournament three times, following Han Jangsang, who has seven victories.

The main variable in Kim Mingyu's quest for victory is the change in the tournament course. While the event had previously been held at Woojeong Hills Country Club in Cheonan, Chungnam, this year it will take place at La Vie Est Belle Golf & Resort Dunes Course. The course is wide open with no trees between holes, a landscape somewhat unfamiliar in Korea. Although it is in a mountainous area, it features a links-style layout built on seaside sand dunes. He will have to overcome the so-called "ghost grass" fescue rough, narrow and steep fairways, and firm, fast greens.