Mercedes-Benz Korea Becomes Title Sponsor of Korea Women’s Open, Purse Set at 1.5 Billion Won

by Kang Sang Heon Posted : February 26, 2026, 14:51Updated : February 26, 2026, 14:51
Mercedes-Benz Korea and the Korea Golf Association sign a title sponsorship deal for the Korea Women’s Open on the morning of Feb. 25 at the Shilla Hotel in central Seoul. Attendees included Mercedes-Benz Korea CEO Mathias Vaitl and KGA Vice President Jeong Chang-gi. (Korea Golf Association photo)
Mercedes-Benz Korea and the Korea Golf Association sign a title sponsorship deal for the Korea Women’s Open on the morning of Feb. 25 at the Shilla Hotel in central Seoul. Attendees included Mercedes-Benz Korea CEO Mathias Vaitl and KGA Vice President Jeong Chang-gi. [Photo=Korea Golf Association]
 
The Korea Golf Association said Feb. 25 that Mercedes-Benz Korea will serve as title sponsor of the major Korea Women’s Open Golf Championship.

Mercedes-Benz Korea and the KGA held a signing ceremony the morning of Feb. 25 at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul’s Jung District. Mercedes-Benz Korea CEO Mathias Vaitl and KGA Vice President Jeong Chang-gi attended, the KGA said.

The Korea Women’s Open is the national title event in Korean women’s golf. Launched in 1987, it marks its 40th anniversary this year.

The Mercedes-Benz 40th Korea Women’s Open Golf Championship will be held June 11-14, with the venue to be announced later. Under the sponsorship, the total purse will rise to 1.5 billion won. The winner will also receive an exemption into the AIG Women’s Open, one of women’s golf’s five major championships.

Vaitl said it was meaningful to partner with a tournament with “deep tradition and high standing,” adding that Mercedes-Benz Korea will continue investment and cooperation in the Korean market while expanding opportunities to promote the brand’s values and philosophy alongside the development of the country’s golf culture.

Joy Ridgway, director of the R&A’s AIG Women’s Open, said the event is working to bring together the world’s best players, and that granting a direct entry spot through the Korea Women’s Open reflects an effort to broaden global qualifying pathways while recognizing the strength of Korean women’s golf.

KGA President Kang Hyeong-mo said the sponsorship will further elevate the national title event. He said the association is providing pathways for young golfers to progress from youth competition to the domestic pro ranks and on to overseas majors, and pledged to keep creating new opportunities.




* This article has been translated by AI.