The KLPGA Tour begins its domestic schedule April 2-5 with The Siena Open at The Siena Belluto Country Club in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province. The 2026 season opened earlier with the Rejuran Championship, held March 12-15 in Chonburi, Thailand. The Siena Open carries a total purse of 1 billion won.
Ahead of the domestic opener, the tour held its ‘Opening Ceremony’ on March 25 in Seoul. Attendees included last year’s money leader Hong Jeong-min, along with fan vote top finishers Im Hee-jeong and Park Hyeon-gyeong, and players Kim Min-sol, Park Gyeol, Park Min-ji, Park Hye-jun, Bae So-hyeon, Yoo Hyeon-jo, Lee Ga-young, Lee Se-hee and Lee Yul-lin.
At media day, much of the focus was on the expected battle for the season’s top honors. Players pointed to Kim, praising her combination of distance and precision. Born in 2006, Kim won twice last year.
Park Hyeon-gyeong also backed Kim. “The one player who immediately comes to mind as a grand prize candidate is Kim Min-sol,” she said. “She has distance, and she’s strong across the technical parts. I think she’ll have a good season.”
Kim thanked the senior players for their support. “I’m grateful they picked me as a grand prize candidate,” she said. “My goal this year is to live up to those expectations.” She named Park Hye-jun as her own pick, saying Park “showed a lot of good things last year.”
Veterans also laid out their goals. Park Min-ji, who would set a new KLPGA career wins record with two more victories, said she is entering her 10th year on tour after going winless last season for the first time.
“I think it became a turning point for me,” Park said. “I’d been winning every year and got complacent. This year I want to start over from the beginning like a rookie. I’m desperate to win.”
Born in 1998, Park added that younger players “come out in short sleeves even in spring and fall,” while she needs “three layers,” and said she needs more fitness work and better body management to keep up.
Park Gyeol, born in 1996 and in her 12th year on tour, said, “My stamina may be lower than the younger players, but I have the advantage of experience,” adding, “We can win, too.”
Several players who joined new teams also set clear targets. Yoo Hyeon-jo, last year’s grand prize winner and scoring average leader, said joining Lotte brings some pressure, but she wants to do better than last year.
“I especially want to be the multiple-wins leader,” Yoo said. “Last year I missed out on a lot of wins. I want to fix that and try to lead in wins.”
Hong, last year’s money leader and co-leader in wins with three titles, said she has a new sponsor, Korea Land Trust, and is aiming higher.
“Since I’m newly sponsored by Korea Land Trust, I’ll set a goal of more than last year’s three wins — four,” Hong said. “I’ll focus on four wins and keep pushing.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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