What Is 2013 LPGA of Korea Tour

Overview

The 2013 LPGA of Korea Tour was a landmark season in South Korean women’s professional golf, marking the 36th year of the domestic circuit. It featured a packed schedule of tournaments and record-breaking prize funds, reinforcing Korea’s status as a global powerhouse in women’s golf.

With strong institutional support and growing media coverage, the tour attracted top local talent and helped develop future international stars. The season highlighted both depth of competition and rising financial incentives for players.

• 37 official tournaments were held across South Korea, making it one of the most active domestic women’s golf tours in the world that year.
• Total prize money exceeded ₩33.6 billion, a significant increase from previous years and a testament to the tour’s commercial growth.
• Park Hee-young topped the money list with earnings of ₩1.7 billion, showcasing her consistency and dominance.
• The tour included events such as the KB Financial-Star Trophy and the Samsung Women’s Masters, both high-profile tournaments.
• Players earned points toward the Order of Merit, a season-long ranking system used to determine the top performer.

How It Works

The LPGA of Korea Tour operates as a professional golf circuit where players compete across a season-long schedule to earn prize money, ranking points, and national recognition. Performance on the tour can lead to opportunities on the U.S.-based LPGA Tour and other international circuits.

• Tournament Format: Events are typically 54-hole stroke play tournaments, with the top 60 players and ties making the cut after 36 holes.
• Eligibility: Players must qualify through the LPGA of Korea Tour Q-School or earn sponsor invitations to participate in events.
• Scoring System: The Order of Merit ranks players by total prize money earned, determining season champions and tour status.
• Prize Distribution: Each tournament awards prize money, with the winner typically receiving between 18% and 22% of the total purse.
• International Access: Top performers gain entry to the LPGA Priority List, improving chances to play on the U.S. LPGA Tour.
• Season Structure: The 2013 season ran from February to November, with tournaments spaced every 1–2 weeks.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2013 LPGA of Korea Tour with other major women’s golf tours during the same year:

The data shows that while the U.S. LPGA Tour had higher per-event payouts, the LPGA of Korea Tour offered more playing opportunities and substantial total prize money. Its structure allowed emerging players to gain experience and earnings without needing international travel.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season was pivotal in shaping the future of women’s golf, both in Korea and globally. It demonstrated the depth of Korean talent and the effectiveness of its developmental systems.

• Many players from the 2013 tour, such as Ko Jin-young, later achieved success on the U.S. LPGA Tour, validating the tour’s training model.
• The high number of tournaments provided consistent competition, helping players refine skills under pressure.
• Increased prize money reflected growing corporate sponsorship, particularly from KB Financial and Samsung.
• The tour served as a critical pipeline for Korean athletes aiming to compete internationally.
• Strong domestic media coverage helped popularize women’s golf and inspired youth participation.
• Success in 2013 laid the foundation for future global dominance, with Korean players winning multiple LPGA majors in subsequent years.

Overall, the 2013 LPGA of Korea Tour was more than just a series of tournaments—it was a cornerstone in the development of elite women golfers and a model for national sports development programs.