What Is 2017 LPGA of Korea Tour

Overview

The 2017 LPGA of Korea Tour marked the 15th official season of the Korea-based women’s professional golf circuit, known for developing world-class talent later seen on the U.S.-based LPGA Tour. As one of the most competitive developmental tours globally, it served as a launching pad for numerous international stars.

That year, the tour expanded its schedule and prize purse, reflecting the growing popularity and financial strength of women’s golf in South Korea. With consistent television coverage and sponsorship support, the 2017 season reinforced Korea’s dominance in women’s golf.

• 37 tournaments were held during the 2017 season, setting a new record for the tour and surpassing the previous year’s 35 events.
• The total prize fund reached over ₩22.8 billion, marking a significant increase from 2016’s ₩19.6 billion and highlighting rising investment in women’s golf.
• The season kicked off on February 23, 2017, with the Daemyung Vivaldi Park Winter Tournament, one of the earliest starts in tour history.
• South Korea continued to dominate globally, with 11 Korean players winning titles on the U.S. LPGA Tour that year, many of whom started on the KLPGA Tour.
• Park Min-hye claimed the Player of the Year and MVP honors after recording three tournament victories and consistent top-10 finishes throughout the season.

How It Works

The LPGA of Korea Tour operates as a season-long series of professional golf tournaments with a points and earnings system determining rankings and honors.

• Season Structure: The 2017 tour spanned 10 months, from February to November, with events typically held weekly across South Korea.
• Tournament Format: Events followed a standard 72-hole stroke play format, with cuts after 36 holes reducing the field to the top 70 players and ties.
• Prize Money Distribution: Each tournament awarded prize money, with the winner typically receiving 18% to 22% of the total purse, varying by event size.
• Rankings System: The KLPGA Points List tracked performance, with points awarded based on finishing position, used to determine Player of the Year.
• Eligibility: The tour included over 200 active members, including South Koreans and a limited number of international players via sponsor exemptions.
• Pathway to LPGA: Top performers earned status on the U.S. LPGA Tour through the Priority List, based on season earnings and world ranking points.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2017 LPGA of Korea Tour can be better understood by comparing it to other major women’s golf tours in terms of structure, earnings, and competitiveness.

This comparison shows that while the Korean tour had more events than the U.S. LPGA Tour in 2017, its total prize money was lower when converted to USD. However, its depth of competition and player development pipeline remained unmatched, producing more top-ranked players globally than any other tour.

Why It Matters

The 2017 season was pivotal in cementing the LPGA of Korea Tour’s reputation as the premier feeder system for elite women’s golf talent worldwide.

• The tour contributed to South Korea leading all nations in LPGA Tour wins in 2017, with Korean players capturing 17 of 33 titles in the U.S.
• It provided a structured career path for young golfers, with over 50 new professionals joining the tour that year through qualifying school.
• High participation and media coverage helped elevate women’s sports visibility in South Korea, influencing youth engagement and sponsorship interest.
• The success of 2017 reinforced the tour’s role in the global golf economy, attracting sponsors like KB Financial and Hyundai.
• It demonstrated the effectiveness of Korea’s golf development ecosystem, combining early training, national support, and professional structure.
• Records set in 2017, such as prize money and event count, laid the foundation for future growth and international collaboration.

The 2017 LPGA of Korea Tour was more than a domestic circuit—it was a cornerstone of women’s professional golf, shaping the careers of future champions and reinforcing South Korea’s influence on the global stage.