The KLPGA Tour awakens from its long winter slumber. The 2026 season begins with the Rejuran Championship, a four-day tournament starting March 12 at Amata Spring Country Club (par 72) in Chonburi, Thailand, with total prize money of 1.2 billion won ($820,000).
The tournament is hosted by Pharma Research, a company whose flagship product is the skin booster "Rejuran." Having supported the golf community through events like the Dream Tour, Pharma Research is participating for the first time as a KLPGA main sponsor.
"This tournament is a meaningful opportunity to spread K-Beauty and K-Sports across Asia and around the world," Son Ji-hoon, CEO of Pharma Research, told the Seoul Economic Daily on March 6. "We hope it becomes a meaningful stage for conveying the value of a healthy and beautiful lifestyle to people worldwide."
He added: "Pharma Research has advanced regenerative medicine technology while maintaining a continuous interest in promoting healthy lifestyles and sports culture. Just as Rejuran helps restore the skin's essential health and resilience, we hope this tournament becomes a place where all players can perform at their best."
Pharma Research has demonstrated genuine commitment to women's golf. Since establishing its golf team in 2023, the company has contributed to Korean women's golf development through substantive investments, including nurturing new talent and hosting the Dream (second-tier) Tour championship tournament.
Ahead of this season, the company signed major players including Noh Seung-hee, who ranked second in prize money for the 2025 season with three career wins, and Li Xiuying, who has one career victory. The signings signal the team's emergence as a prestigious golf organization.
Park Ji-young Eyes Breakthrough at Overseas Opener
Park Ji-young (Korea Land Trust) is the most closely watched player at the 2026 KLPGA season opener. She has been particularly strong at overseas openers, winning twice: at the 2019 Hyosung Championship with SBS Golf in Vietnam and the 2023 Hana Financial Group Singapore Women's Open.
After a disappointing 2025 season, Park is looking to rebound at this Rejuran Championship. Despite winning three titles in 2024 and sharing the most-wins crown, she went winless in 2025. She entered 26 tournaments with eight top-10 finishes but no victories.
However, she found hope in the second half of the season. In October at the Sangsangin Hankyung Wownet Open, she finished runner-up in a playoff loss to Lee Yul-lin (Doosan Engineering & Construction), providing momentum for a 2026 turnaround.
This winter, Park trained in Portugal with coach Lee Si-woo, known for producing champions. Armed with a more solid swing and veteran savvy, she aims for her 11th career victory starting from the season opener.
New Rejuran Duo Eyes Inaugural Title
Noh Seung-hee and Li Xiuying, who newly joined Pharma Research's golf team for the 2026 season, are also players to watch.
Noh debuted on the main tour in 2020 and blossomed fully in 2025 after winning twice in 2024. Though not a long hitter, she conquered the competitive KLPGA Tour with pinpoint-accurate shots. She competed with Hong Jung-min (Korea Land Trust) for the money title until the end of the season. She narrowly missed the title but achieved results sufficient to join the top ranks.
The year 2025 was unforgettable for Li Xiuying. After debuting on the main tour in 2023, she spent time far from the winner's circle before becoming the first Chinese national to win on the KLPGA Tour at the October Gwangnam Ilbo Happiness Open.
Both players declared new challenges after completing their best seasons. They joined hands with Pharma Research's golf team, which dreams of becoming a prestigious organization. The two are ready to make history at the Rejuran Championship, a new tournament hosted by their new sponsor.