Seoul: The South Korean and U.S. women's golf tours jointly announced that they have reached an agreement on local players' participation in an LPGA tournament scheduled to take place in South Korea this fall.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) and the U.S.-based LPGA have agreed to allow 15 KLPGA Tour players to participate in this year's BMW Ladies Championship. This is the only U.S. LPGA event hosted in South Korea each fall. The agreement further stipulates that by 2027, 30 KLPGA members will be eligible to compete in the tournament.
Previously, on July 2, the KLPGA had revealed that negotiations with the LPGA had stalled. The disagreement centered on the number of homegrown players allowed in the BMW field, with the KLPGA pushing for 30 players and the LPGA initially agreeing to only 10. However, the two organizations resumed discussions, motivated by a shared goal of fostering mutual growth and sustainable development in Korean women's golf, ultimately reaching a compromise.
In a statement, the KLPGA expressed their commitment to ensuring the successful implementation of the agreement through a signed memorandum of understanding. The statement emphasized that both organizations engaged in discussions founded on mutual respect and trust, committing to remain in close contact to organize a successful tournament and continue the development of women's golf.
The finalized arrangement will see this year's tournament field comprising 68 LPGA players, 15 KLPGA players, and one player on a sponsor's exemption. By 2027, the field will expand to include 108 players: 74 LPGA members, 30 KLPGA members, and four players invited by sponsors. For the first time since the tournament's inception in 2019, a 36-hole cut will be implemented in 2027.
This year's BMW Ladies Championship is set to take place from October 22 to 25 at Pine Beach Golf Links in Haenam, located approximately 330 kilometers south of Seoul in South Jeolla Province. The event will follow the victory of South Korean veteran Kim Sei-young, who won the tournament in 2025.