KLPGA Women's Golf Tournament Admission Ticket Priced at 2 Million Won Sparks Controversy

Jeju Samdasoo Masters 'Rope Inside Admission Ticket' Sparks Controversy Ahead of Tournament Opening on the 8th
Hosted by Regional Public Corporation, Concerns Raised Over Fairness and Sense of Alienation
KLPGA Explains, "Aimed at Providing Golf

Yuna Youn is being showered with water by her teammates in a congratulatory ceremony after winning the 11th Jeju Samdasoo Masters held last year at Jeju Blackstone Golf Club. Photo by Changwon Park

During the 2025 KLPGA Jeju Samdasoo Masters tournament, which will be held over four days starting on the 8th, the 'Rope Inside Admission Ticket,' which allows spectators to watch the game right next to the players inside the ropes instead of from the general gallery, is being sold for up to 2 million won, sparking controversy.

This ticket allows spectators to wear a caddie bib and accompany the players throughout the entire course, with a limit of two people per group. Tickets that allow entry for three days, excluding the final day, are being sold for 1.5 million won, while tickets for the championship group are priced at 2 million won, with differentiated pricing depending on the group.

As this information became known, there has already been strong backlash among golf fans and some Jeju residents.

Critics argue that, although the term 'gallery' in golf traditionally refers to spectators watching from outside the ropes and at a distance from the players, granting the privilege of accompanying players up close to those who purchase expensive admission tickets undermines fairness.

One golf fan from Jeju expressed displeasure, saying, "General spectators are outside the fence, while those who buy expensive tickets are right next to the players. Is this really fair sports viewing?" Another resident added, "Selling high-priced experiential products at a tournament hosted by a local public corporation does not align with the original purpose of the event."

The agency that planned the program explained in a phone call with our outlet, "The prices were set internally by the agency, and all proceeds will be donated. This is not a commercial product for profit, and there is precedent for similar tickets being sold for 3 to 4 million won at domestic LPGA tournaments." They further clarified, "Wearing a caddie bib is simply to distinguish these spectators from the general gallery inside the ropes, and no special privileges are granted."

From the 8th, during the four-day 2025 KLPGA Jeju Samdasoo Masters tournament, the 'Rope Inside Admission Ticket,' which allows spectators to watch the game right next to the players inside the ropes instead of the general gallery, is being sold for up to 2 million won, causing significant controversy.

An official from the KLPGA, which approved the program, stated, "A similar program was operated at the previous KLPGA tournament, and the association is only involved in the rules of play and overall operation. The rope inside experience proposed by the agency was permitted to provide golf fans with a special experience."

He explained, "The LPGA operates with a single agency managing the entire season, but in the KLPGA, each tournament organizer selects its own agency, so there are differences in the way tournaments are managed."

In response, a professor from a university in Jeju pointed out, "Such high-priced events can create a sense of alienation among Jeju residents and general spectators. If Samdasoo, a Jeju public corporation, is hosting the tournament, it should be operated in a way that better connects with the local community and attracts tourists." The professor continued, "Even if the purpose is charitable, admission tickets priced at around 2 million won and lesson products costing hundreds of thousands of won do not fit the image of a public corporation."

The reporter repeatedly requested an official statement from Jeju Development Corporation (Samdasoo), the tournament organizer and title sponsor, but no response was provided.

This is why there are increasing calls for a responsible explanation regarding the sale of such high-priced products at a tournament hosted by a regional public corporation.

An industry expert commented, "This is not only the first time a rope inside admission ticket has been sold for around 2 million won in Korea, but it also sets a negative precedent by commercializing the spectating culture." The expert added, "Even if the proceeds are for charity, allowing spectators to follow players closely could affect the players' concentration or the flow of the game."

Therefore, if such high-priced experiential products continue to expand without further controversy, it is highly likely that there will be ongoing debates regarding the operating principles and overall spectating culture of domestic golf tournaments. This has led to calls for the KLPGA to urgently establish clear standards and guidelines.