KPGA players raise W50m for youth golf through birdie challenge

Descente Korea teamed up with KPGA tour players to hold a birdie challenge, raising 50 million won ($37,300) for youth golf development.

The KPGA announced Thursday that the DK Birdie Fund Challenge was held Wednesday on the official CPX day of the KPGA Tour Championship in Jeju at Teddy Valley Golf and Resort in Seogwipo, Jeju.

The event designated hole No. 7 of the tournament course as a charity hole, with Descente Korea contributing 5 million won each time a player recorded a birdie. The total donation was capped at 50 million won.

A total of 61 players took part, including the top three in the Genesis Points standings — Shin Sang-hun, Jang Yu-bin and Jeong Chan-min — along with last year's tournament champion Park Sang-hyun, this season's rookie of the year Wang Jeong-hun, and Choi Chan, who claimed two wins this season. Thirteen of them made birdies, pushing the total to the 50 million won cap.

Choi, a Descente Korea-sponsored player, said he was glad to join fellow KPGA players in a meaningful charitable event. "I hope the donations raised through the players' birdies will serve as a valuable foundation for young golf talents to grow into great players," Choi said.

The funds will be delivered to the Choi Kyung-ju Foundation and the Korea Elementary School Golf Federation for use in identifying and nurturing young players. The donation ceremony is set to take place at the 2026 KPGA Genesis Awards on Nov. 27.