Kim Sung-hyun, Monday Qualifier Winner, to Compete in Domestic Tournament

Kim Sung-hyun Returns to the 68th KPGA Championship
First Player Ever to Win After Advancing Through Monday Qualifier in 2022
One Korn Ferry Tour Victory, Set to Return to PGA Tour Next Year

Overseas-based player Kim Sung-hyun is aiming for victory for the first time in three years since 2022.

He will compete in the 68th KPGA Championship, which will be held for four days starting June 19 at A-One Country Club (par 71, 7,142 yards) in Yangsan, Gyeongnam. Since its establishment in 1958, the tournament has been held every year without interruption. It boasts the longest history among domestic tournaments. The total prize money of 1.6 billion won is the largest among tournaments solely organized by the KPGA. The winner's prize reaches 320 million won. Although the KPGA Tour does not designate separate major tournaments, this event is considered to be of major caliber.

Sung Hyun Kim, who is competing on the PGA Korn Ferry Tour, aims to win the KPGA Championship. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

Kim Sung-hyun, who currently competes on the PGA Korn Ferry (second division) Tour, made history at this tournament in 2022. He caused a sensation by becoming the first player in tournament history to win after advancing through the Monday qualifier. He is now challenging for the top spot again after three years. This will be his first appearance on the KPGA Tour in nine months, since the 40th Shinhan Donghae Open in September last year.

Kim Sung-hyun is in good form. Last month, he claimed his first Korn Ferry Tour victory at the AdventHealth Championship. This season, he has recorded one win, two runner-up finishes, and five top-10 finishes in 11 tournaments. He currently ranks second in the Korn Ferry Tour points standings. In effect, he has already secured a PGA Tour card for next year, which is awarded to the top 20 players.

This year's tournament will feature most of the top players active both domestically and internationally, who will compete for the title. Kim Min-kyu, who plays on the DP World Tour, Song Young-han, whose main stage is the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO), and Wang Jeong-hun, who competes on both the European and Asian Tours, have all entered the KPGA Championship. Choi Jin-ho, who finished third at the previous Hana Bank Invitational, and defending champion Jeon Garam are also strong contenders for the title.