The LPGA Tour's HSBC Women's World Championship has become a dominant hunting ground for Korean players. Korean golfers have won eight of the 18 tournaments held through this year, including seven victories between 2015 and 2023.
"Korea is one of the most dynamic golf markets in the world, with not only high-caliber players but also a passionate fan base and a robust industry ecosystem," Andrea De Vincentiis, HSBC's Global Head of Brand Partnerships, said in an interview with Seoul Economic Daily at Sentosa GC in Singapore on March 1.
"The success of Korean players on the world stage is a clear signal that women's golf is a truly global sport and is increasingly becoming Asia-centric. This is why HSBC continues to invest in this tournament," Vincentiis added.
HSBC has strengthened its global brand value through partnerships with major sporting events including golf, rugby, tennis, and badminton. The bank sponsors The Open and AIG Women's Open, both major championships, and signed a multi-year global partnership with LIV Golf last year.
The HSBC Women's World Championship, for which HSBC has served as title sponsor since its 2008 launch, has become a key pillar of the bank's sports marketing strategy. This year, HSBC extended its title sponsorship by five years and increased total prize money to $3 million, up $600,000 from the previous year.
"Our goal is to expand the tournament's influence across Asia, including Korea," Vincentiis said. "The contract extension and prize money increase are concrete signals of our commitment to achieving this goal."
Vincentiis credited Korean players as instrumental to the tournament's growth.
"Korean players have been essential in building this tournament's stature and energy," he said. "One reason this event is called 'Asia's Major' is that fans can watch the world's best players—particularly Korea's top golfers—compete in person. Their presence elevates the competition level and makes this tournament a stage that showcases Asia's standing in global golf."
Vincentiis highlighted Ko Jin-young's consecutive victories in 2022 and 2023 as a defining moment in the tournament's history.
"Winning once is special, but successfully defending a title at a major-caliber event like Asia's Major is extraordinary," he said. "These moments have shaped the tournament's identity and created deep resonance with Asian fans."
Ko remains the only player to achieve back-to-back victories at the championship.
Vincentiis indicated openness to future collaboration with the Korean market.
"HSBC is continuously exploring how to develop partnerships in key markets including Korea," he said. "Korea holds a very important position in the global golf market, and we are reviewing cooperation measures that could make meaningful contributions from a long-term perspective."
Hannah Green of Australia claimed this year's title, finishing at 14-under par over four days to earn the $450,000 winner's purse. Green, who also won in 2024, reclaimed the trophy after one year for her seventh career LPGA victory.
Among Korean players, Ryu Hae-ran posted the best finish, tying for sixth at 10-under par.
