Defending Champion Hyunkyung Park Favors Pyeongchang Birch Hill

Aiming for Second Win of the Season at the McCol and Mona Yongpyong Open
Collected the Championship Trophy Last Year After a Playoff Battle with Yerim Choi
"A Pleasant Course, Enjoying the Challenge of Title Defense"

Defending champion Hyunkyung Park is aiming for her second win of the season.

She will compete in the KLPGA Tour McCol and Mona Yongpyong Open (total prize money: 1 billion won), which will be held for three days starting June 27 at Birch Hill Country Club (par 72, 6,429 yards) in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province. This year, the tournament has expanded in scale. The total prize money has increased by 200 million won. The winner's prize is 180 million won.

Hyunkyung Park aims for a second consecutive win at the McCol and Mona Yongpyong Open. Photo by KLPGA

Last year, Park enjoyed her best moment at this tournament. She claimed the championship trophy after a playoff battle with Yerim Choi. In particular, she achieved several career firsts at this event: back-to-back wins over two weeks, back-to-back playoff victories, and her third win of the season. The tournament also recorded the highest viewership ratings of the 2024 season.

Park has maintained steady form this year as well. She has competed in 12 tournaments and made the cut in all of them. Last month, she secured her eighth career KLPGA Tour victory at the E1 Charity Open. Earlier in the month, she also performed well at the World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup, a major tournament in Japan, finishing tied for eighth. Despite playing in only 12 out of the 18 tournaments held this year, she ranks seventh in prize money (354.96 million won), second in Player of the Year points (269 points), and fourth in scoring average (70.38 strokes).

Park said, "Honestly, I'm really happy and honored to participate in a tournament that I've felt suited me well since my rookie year, now as the defending champion. Since I have so many good memories here, I will enjoy my play and challenge for both a title defense and my second win of the season." She added, "Just like when I got my first win of the season, it's encouraging that I keep placing in the top 10. I really like this course, and since my shots and putting feel good at the moment, I'm looking forward to the tournament."