Staff WriterBy the time October 23 rolls around, golf fans in Korea might want to start practising their polite golf claps—because the Genesis Championship is packing up and heading to Woo Jeong Hills Country Club in Cheonan, and Byeong Hun An is coming back to defend his title.
Last year, An pulled off what every golfer dreams of—lifting a trophy on home turf—by outduelling compatriot and Presidents Cup teammate Tom Kim in a play-off. It was his first DP World Tour win in nearly a decade and an emotional moment that had him grinning like a kid who’d just found the golden ticket.
“It was incredibly special winning on home soil once again,” An said. “It had been a while since I had the opportunity to play in front of home fans, and it was also great having family members there to see me win.
It was a real battle with Tom on the final day and in the play-off and I was very proud to get the victory. I’m excited to return to Korea later this year and defend my title.”
Woo Jeong Hills Makes Its DP World Tour Debut
This will be the first time the DP World Tour has pitched its tent at Woo Jeong Hills, a Perry O. Dye design that’s been hosting the Kolon Korea Open for 21 editions on the Asian Tour since 2003. It’s seen its fair share of big names—Vijay Singh, John Daly, Rickie Fowler, YE Yang—and even Rory McIlroy, who teed it up here in 2013. Opened in 1993, the course is known for its Dye family DNA: beautiful, strategic, and just nasty enough to make pros sweat.
Koo Ja-cheol, KPGA Chairman, couldn’t be more thrilled: “We are truly excited to welcome back the Genesis Championship at the Woo Jeong Hills Country Club.
Korean golf fans have been eagerly anticipating the return of the defending champion Byeong Hun An to compete on home soil. I am confident that players representing both the KPGA Tour and the DP World Tour will deliver a world-class competition at the Woo Jeong Hills, making this year’s Genesis Championship even more successful.”
High Stakes Before the Play-Offs
The Genesis Championship sits in a prime calendar slot—it’s the last stop on the DP World Tour’s Back 9 and the final chance for players to lock up their spots before the Play-Offs.
The field will feature 90 DP World Tour players and 36 from the KPGA TOUR, co-sanctioned under the Strategic Alliance that’s giving Korean talent a clearer route to the game’s global stage.
For some, it’s a shot at glory; for others, it’s a desperate scramble to keep their playing rights for the 2026 Race to Dubai.
Jeong-yun Lee, President of Woo Jeong Hills Country Club, said: “We are dedicating our utmost efforts to maintaining the course and facilities at the highest standards to ensure that players can deliver their best performances at the Genesis Championship.
As the largest international golf tournament held in Korea, we will spare no effort in supporting the successful staging of the event.”
Genesis’ Growing Golf Footprint
Genesis isn’t just dabbling in golf—they’re buying the whole pro shop. Beyond the Genesis Championship, they sponsor the Genesis Scottish Open (extended as Title Partner until 2030), the Genesis Invitational, the Presidents Cup, and even the TGL launching in 2025.
They’ve also just signed on as the Global Official Vehicle of the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions through 2030. If golf were high school, Genesis would be the kid who not only made the team but also bought everyone’s uniforms.
Early bird General Admission tickets start from ₩21,000, with season passes from ₩70,000.
Tickets to watch An try to go back-to-back are on sale now—expect a mix of birdies, bogeys, and perhaps the occasional triple bogey that makes you feel better about your own game.
