Staff WriterBy the time Byeong Hun An steps onto the first tee at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club this week, he’ll be feeling something that every golfer secretly craves — a mix of pride, pressure, and the faint echo of last year’s triumph ringing in his ears.
The defending Genesis Championship winner is back on home soil, eager to give the Korean fans another reason to cheer — and perhaps another car for the garage.
“It’s awesome (to be back). Being back here as defending champion is even better. I love playing on home soil,” said Byeong Hun An, who hasn’t stopped smiling since landing in Cheonan.
“Last year I had some eyes on me. There’s not much pressure, but I’d love to have another car at the end of the week. No pressure at all. Hopefully I can show some good golf like I did last year for the Korean fans.”
From Rookie to Reigning Champ
For Byeong Hun An, this week is more than just another stop on the DP World Tour — it’s a homecoming with history. His victory last year marked his first DP World Tour title since 2015, when he burst onto the scene by winning the BMW PGA Championship and the Singhan Donghae Open in the same season. That remarkable year also earned him the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award — the first Korean ever to claim the honour.
Now 34, An arrives at Woo Jeong Hills not as the young prodigy who shocked Wentworth, but as the seasoned veteran looking to cement his legacy in front of his countrymen.
“It’s massive (having events like these). It’s good exposure for Korean golf,” he said. “We have great golfers on the PGA TOUR, Korn Ferry and DP World Tour. The more events we have, the more players we’ll inspire. It’s a big boost for Korean golf.”
A Field Full of Firepower
An’s title defence won’t come easy. The Genesis Championship boasts a stacked field featuring Presidents Cup teammates Sungjae Im, Siwoo Kim, Hideki Matsuyama, and Adam Scott — names that can turn any leaderboard into a battlefield.
The event, co-sanctioned with the KPGA TOUR, brings together the top 36 Korean players from the Genesis Point List to face off against the best of the DP World Tour.
And while An will have the home advantage, the stakes are sky-high for everyone. As the final regular event of the DP World Tour season, Woo Jeong Hills will determine who keeps their playing rights for 2026 and who earns a golden ticket to the Play-Offs in Abu Dhabi.
The Top 110 on the Race to Dubai Rankings will retain their cards, while the Top 70 available players move on to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship — the gateway to the season-ending DP World Tour Championship.
With five players listed as ‘in addition,’ the real cutoff sits at 115th place — currently held by Adam Scott, just 4.78 points clear of Germany’s Yannik Paul. Meanwhile, Rafa Cabrera Bello sits precariously in 70th, hoping for one more strong week to keep his season alive.
“I’m 70th on the Race to Dubai, so I’m on the bubble,” Cabrera Bello admitted. “Being the last event of the regular season, normally in golf we say there’s a next week, but there might not be. So there’s a little bit of extra pressure, but I don’t really think about that. I just want to try and play my game.”
Korean Stars Shine Bright
For fans in Korea, the Genesis Championship is more than just a tournament — it’s a celebration of national pride and a glimpse into the future of Korean golf. Sungjae Im, who has both won and finished runner-up at this event, returns to familiar territory with quiet confidence.
“It’s my third time at the Genesis Championship, previously finished as winner and runner-up,” said Im. “I have great memories. Hopefully I’ll play off these good memories to end with a good score. It has been ten years since I played at Woo Jeong Hills. I will give it my best this week.”
Fellow countryman Siwoo Kim, back competing in Korea for the first time in nearly a decade, echoed the sentiment. “It always feels great to be back in my country. It’s been eight or nine years since the last time I played in Korea.
It’s so special to be back home, especially at a DP World Tour and KPGA co-sanctioned event. Hopefully I will play good and that I can win for all the Korean fans.”
The Final Push
As the DP World Tour season reaches its crescendo, Woo Jeong Hills offers a fitting stage — challenging, unpredictable, and lined with fans who know their golf. The sloping greens and unforgiving rough mean precision will rule the week, and one mistake could separate those heading to Abu Dhabi from those booking an early flight home.
But for Byeong Hun An, this isn’t just about points or rankings. It’s about pride — and proving that lightning can strike twice in the Korean autumn.
“I always love coming back home,” he said with a grin. “It’s a different course and a different test this week. But if I can play like last year, it’ll be a week to remember.”
