Taehun Lee and Anthony Kim Qualify for LIV Golf

Excitement as Korean Diaspora Golfers Take 1st and 3rd at LIV Golf Promotion
Tour Cards Awarded to Top Three Finishers
Wang Jeonghun Ties for Fourth, Earns Spot in International Series

Korean diaspora golfers have simultaneously secured their spots in the LIV Golf league.

Taehun Lee, a Korean-Canadian, shot a 5-under-par 65 on the final day of the LIV Golf Promotion (total prize money of 1.5 million dollars) held at Black Diamond Ranch (par 70) in Lecanto, Florida, USA, on January 11 (local time). With a total score of 11-under-par 129, he won the tournament by five strokes. By finishing in the top three, Lee has officially qualified for the LIV Golf league this year. This tournament served as a promotion event, where players competed for entry into LIV Golf.

Taehun Lee is smiling brightly while holding the trophy right after winning the LIV Golf promotion. Lecanto, USA ? Reuters Yonhap News Agency

Starting the final round with a two-shot lead, Lee carded six birdies and one bogey. He distanced himself from his competitors early on, making his first birdie at the 4th hole (par 4), back-to-back birdies at the 6th and 7th holes, and another birdie at the 9th hole (par 5), reducing his score by four strokes on the front nine alone. He then made par saves on the next five holes and virtually sealed his victory with consecutive birdies on the 15th and 16th holes. His only bogey came at the 17th hole (par 3).

Lee has achieved four career wins on the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Tour. By winning this event, he also earned a winner's prize of 200,000 dollars (approximately 290 million won). In a post-victory interview, he said with a bright smile, "I played under a completely different kind of tension compared to regular tournaments. Focusing on minimizing mistakes led to a great result." He added, "I'm looking forward to competing with world-class players like Bryson DeChambeau (USA) and Jon Rahm (Spain), and I expect to learn a lot."

Bjorn Hellgren (Sweden) finished second (6-under-par 134) and also secured his place in LIV Golf. The 'maverick' Anthony Kim (USA) took third (5-under-par 135), marking his return to the LIV Golf stage. After a 12-year hiatus, Anthony Kim made his comeback through LIV Golf in 2024. He played two seasons through last year but was relegated due to a lack of notable results, only to earn his way back this year.

As for Korea, Wang Jeonghun played well with a 2-under-par 68 but had to settle for a tie for fourth place (3-under-par 137). By finishing within the top 13, Wang earned a spot in the Asian Tour International Series. Lee Soomin, Hwang Doyeon, Kim Hongtaek, and Park Sungguk, who also competed, did not qualify for the LIV Golf league.