Jo A-yeon, Hong Jeong-min, Kim Su-ji, Ji Han-sol among competitors
The 2026 HJ Shipbuilding & Construction-Dongbu Championship, a Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association tour event co-hosted by HJ Shipbuilding & Construction and Dongbu, will be held over four days at A-One Country Club in Busan from Oct. 8 to 11.
Dongbu announced Thursday that 108 players will compete in this year's tournament, with a total purse of 1 billion won ($738,000) and a winner's share of 180 million won. This year marks the first time HJ Shipbuilding & Construction has joined as a co-host, and the venue has moved to A-One Country Club in Busan.
The tournament will be played over four rounds of 72 holes using a modified Stableford format, in which players accumulate points based on their score on each hole and the highest total wins. A birdie earns two points and an eagle five — a structure designed to encourage aggressive play aimed at birdies and eagles rather than simply minimizing strokes.
Players affiliated with the co-hosts will also compete. From Dongbu's golf team, Kim Su-ji, Ji Han-sol, Jang Su-yeon and Moon Jeong-min will vie for the title. Moon, who joined Dongbu this year, will look to use her long-hitting ability to her advantage in the modified Stableford format.
HJ Shipbuilding & Construction will be represented by Jo A-yeon, Hong Jeong-min and Kim Min-seo 3. Jo was named the KLPGA Rookie of the Year in 2019, while Hong claimed the KLPGA tour money title last year. Kim Min-seo 3, who competes on the Dream Tour, will also take part.
HJ Shipbuilding & Construction established its women's professional golf team in July after acquiring the Korea Real Estate Investment & Trust golf team. The squad consists of five members: Park Ji-young, Hong Jeong-min, Jo A-yeon, Kim Min-seo 3 and amateur prospect Park Seo-jin. This tournament is the first KLPGA event HJ Shipbuilding & Construction has co-hosted under its own name since forming the team.
"This year, HJ Shipbuilding & Construction has come on board as a co-sponsor and the tournament has moved to Busan," a tournament official said. "We expect the players to put on an aggressive and exciting show on a new course."
quq@heraldcorp.com
