Yuwon Golf Foundation covers 100 million won in costs for 8 junior golfers at US championships

The Yuwon Golf Foundation, chaired by Kim Young-chan, has selected eight promising junior golfers and will cover all participation costs — totaling about 100 million won ($66,200) — as part of its effort to develop globally competitive golf talent.

The foundation covered the full cost of qualifying-round participation at the 2026 US Junior Amateur Championship and the 2026 US Girls' Junior Championship, both held June 1 at Poipu Bay Golf Course in Hawaii, and will also cover all expenses for those who advance to the main rounds in July.

This year's eight selected players are Kim Min-ki (19), Park Jae-hyun (18), Yu Min-hyuk (18) and Heo Seung-wan (16) in the men's division, and Kim Seo-a (14), Lee Ye-won (18), Shin Yu-young (17) and Shin Hae-in (18) in the women's division. Yu Min-hyuk and Kim Seo-a qualified for exemptions and advanced directly to the main rounds without playing qualifying.

The foundation provided full coverage of flights, accommodation, CPX entry fees and ground transportation — amounting to about 100 million won — and assigned a dedicated coach to help the players adjust to local conditions. The coach closely monitored turf conditions, short-game execution and pre-shot routines, providing structured support aimed at improving on-course performance.

The 2026 US Girls' Junior Championship main round, in which Kim Seo-a and Shin Hae-in are set to compete, will be held July 13–18 at Old Chatham Golf Club in Durham, North Carolina. Kim Min-ki and Yu Min-hyuk will then compete in the 2026 US Junior Amateur Championship main round, scheduled July 20–25 at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Kim Min-ki, who topped the qualifying field, said he was grateful to the Yuwon Golf Foundation "for creating an environment where I could focus entirely on my game." He added that he would "give my best in the main round, achieve a strong result, and use this experience as a foundation to grow further as a player."

Foundation chairman Kim Young-chan said he hopes the young players "will continue to grow on the back of this experience," adding that "the Yuwon Golf Foundation will keep providing sustained support to athletes pursuing their dreams."