There is one tournament where South Korean women golfers have been exceptionally dominant. The HSBC Women's World Championship, which begins on February 26 for four days at Sentosa Golf Club's Tanjong Course in Singapore, has been a "promised tournament" for Korean players.
Korean women golfers have won seven of the ten tournaments held between 2015 and 2025, giving them a 70% winning rate during that period. The 2020 event was canceled due to COVID-19.
The tournament, which began in 2008, saw its first Korean winner in 2009 when Shin Ji-ae claimed the title. After a five-year drought, Park In-bee broke through in 2015, followed by Jang Ha-na in 2016 and Park In-bee again in 2017 for three consecutive Korean victories.
Korean-American Michelle Wie briefly interrupted the streak with her 2018 win, but Korean players then won four straight titles: Park Sung-hyun in 2019, Kim Hyo-joo in 2021, and Ko Jin-young in both 2022 and 2023.
The past two years saw no Korean winners, with Hannah Green of Australia winning in 2024 and Lydia Ko of New Zealand taking the title last year.
This year's field has drawn comparisons to a major championship. Nine of the world's top 10 players will compete, with only world No. 2 Nelly Korda of the United States absent.
Korea's top players are out in force, led by world No. 8 Kim Hyo-joo. The field includes Kim Se-young, Ryu Hae-ran, Choi Hye-jin, Kim A-rim, Ko Jin-young, Lee So-mi, Lim Jin-hee, Hwang Yu-min, Lee Mi-hyang, Shin Ji-eun, and Yoon Yi-na.
The season opener in the United States went to Korda, while world No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand won on home soil. The question now is whether Korean golfers can reclaim their success at this Singapore tournament, historically their "promised land."
Ko Jin-young, who won back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023, is seeking a comeback. Only she and Park In-bee have won this tournament twice. Ko held the world No. 1 ranking for 163 weeks but has since dropped to No. 32. She will be eager to rediscover her form at a course where she has thrived.
Rookie Hwang Yu-min is another player to watch. After finishing tied for fifth in her debut at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, she missed the Honda LPGA Thailand due to eligibility requirements. She will be competing against Mimi Rhodes of England, another rookie of the year contender who received a tournament invitation.
Second-year player Yoon Yi-na is desperate for a top-10 finish after placing tied for 50th at the Honda LPGA Thailand. Both Hwang and Yoon, who are the same age, will harbor hopes of a surprise victory in their first appearance at this event.