By PIF Global Series
Ahead of the 2026 Aramco Korea Championship at New Korea Country Club, marquee South Korean headliners Hyo Joo Kim, Sung Hyun Park, and Jeongeun Lee6 addressed international and domestic media to preview the championship’s milestone edition.
With the tournament elevated this season to a full 72-hole individual stroke-play showcase, two-time defending champion Hyo Joo Kim enters the week seeking an unprecedented third consecutive title on home soil.
Hyo Joo Kim on Defending History & The Chase for a ‘Three-Peat’
Kim remains the only player to have lifted the trophy at New Korea Country Club, capturing the previous two editions. She said: “Throughout my career, I’ve never obsessed over records or defending titles. Thinking too much about winning a third time only creates unnecessary tension. My approach has always been simple: stay present and genuinely enjoy the walk. I know the home fans want to see the three-peat, and the best way to honor that is by trusting my process shot by shot until Sunday afternoon.”
Hyo Joo Kim on Tackling an Autumn Layout in a 72-Hole Test
On adapting to autumnal turf conditions and the tournament’s expanded 72-hole format: “New Korea Country Club is a classic layout that demands fairway precision and supreme patience over raw power. Playing here in the autumn instead of the spring changes the turf firmness and ball roll, but it doesn’t change the tactical requirement: disciplined positioning. Expanding to 72 holes doesn’t alter my mindset—I’m sticking to the formula that has proven successful here twice before.”
Hyo Joo Kim on Her Dedicated Fan Club, the ‘Shooting Stars’
On the sea of pink gallery support lining the fairways: “Words cannot express how grateful I am for the Shooting Stars. Seeing that sea of pink out on the course completely makes my week. Having them outside the ropes provides incredible fuel, keeps me smiling, and gives me the energy to perform at my absolute best.”
Sung Hyun Park on Her Form and the Growth of Korean Women’s Golf
The two-time major champion reflected on her season trajectory and the evolving international platform: “My game has been trending in the right direction, and my preparation heading into this week has been very solid. Women’s golf continues to expand rapidly—Korean golf maintains an extraordinary foundation of young talent, while tournaments like this bridge international tours and create genuine global visibility. It’s an honor to be competing back home in front of our domestic fans.”
Jeongeun Lee6 on Drawing Energy from Home Galleries
The 2019 U.S. Women’s Open champion on playing in front of Korean spectators: “Having family in the gallery and hearing Korean fans cheer between shots provides an immediate lift. When you hit a difficult stretch during a round, that vocal home support reminds you that you aren’t out there alone. You feed directly off that warmth.”
