The LPGA Tour's HSBC Women's World Championship has become a dominant stage for Korean players. Of the 18 tournaments held through this year, Korean golfers have claimed victory eight times. They won seven titles between 2015 and 2023, demonstrating overwhelming dominance.
"Korea is one of the world's most dynamic golf markets, with not only high-caliber players but also a strong fan base and robust industry ecosystem," Andrea De Vincentiis, HSBC's Global Head of Brand Partnerships, told the 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-centered. This is why HSBC continues to invest in this tournament."
HSBC has strengthened its global brand value through partnerships with major sporting events worldwide, including golf, rugby, tennis, and badminton. The bank sponsors The Open and the 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, which HSBC has title-sponsored since its 2008 inception, has become a key pillar of the company'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 that goal."
He credited Korean players as crucial to the tournament's growth. "Korean players have been instrumental in building the stature and energy of this tournament," Vincentiis said. "One reason this event is called 'Asia's Major' is that fans can watch the world's best players, especially top Korean golfers, compete in person. The presence of Korean players elevates the level of competition and makes this tournament a stage that showcases Asia's standing in global golf."
Vincentiis highlighted Ko Jin-young's victories as the tournament's defining moment. "Ko Jin-young's back-to-back wins in 2022 and 2023 are truly memorable moments in history," he said. "Winning once is special, but successfully defending a title at a prestigious event like Asia's Major is extraordinary. These moments have shaped the tournament's identity and deeply resonated with Asian fans." Ko remains the only player to win consecutive titles at this championship.
Future collaboration with the Korean market remains possible. "HSBC continuously explores how to develop partnerships in key markets, including Korea," Vincentiis said. "Korea holds a very important position in the global golf market, and we are reviewing ways to collaborate that can make meaningful contributions from a long-term perspective."
Hannah Green of Australia won this year's tournament, which concluded on March 1, finishing at 14-under par. She claimed the $450,000 winner's prize, reclaiming the title she won in 2024 to secure her seventh career LPGA victory. Among Korean players, Ryu Hae-ran finished highest at tied-sixth place with 10-under par.
