The Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) and the U.S.-based Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) have failed to reach an agreement on player entry slots for the LPGA Tour's BMW Ladies Championship, to be held in Korea in October. As a result, KLPGA Tour players' various records will not be recognized even if they compete.
The KLPGA said Monday that no agreement was reached because the LPGA ultimately did not accept a minimum of 30 players needed to establish the event as an official tournament.
"Beginning with an in-person meeting with the LPGA Tour held at the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul hotel in October 2025, we conducted negotiations regarding KLPGA Tour players' participation in the event over about eight months through a total of 16 in-person and video meetings and various other means," the KLPGA said. "The LPGA made a final proposal allowing only up to 10 KLPGA Tour players to compete in this year's event, and we did not accept it because the proposal did not meet the requirements for establishing an official tournament."
The BMW Ladies Championship is scheduled to be held for four days starting October 22 at Pine Beach Golf Links in Haenam, South Jeolla Province.
Among the Asian events currently co-hosted with the LPGA Tour, the Toto Japan Classic held in Japan features 35 home players out of a total of 78, while the Blue Bay LPGA held in China features 37 home players out of a total of 108.
Since the BMW Ladies Championship has not been recognized as an official KLPGA Tour event, KLPGA members may face penalties if they compete.
"Considering the standing of Korean women's golf, a minimum of 30 entries is the minimum principle for establishing an official tournament," a KLPGA official said. "We will continue to respond by prioritizing the rights and interests of our members and the sustained development of Korean women's golf as our top values."
