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| Photo: Provided by KPGA |
A total of 123 players are entered in Round 1. The field includes veterans returning from military service—'Joseon Bomber' Jang Seung-bo (30, Flow) and Kim Geun-tae (30)—along with last season's KPGA Tour rookies Kim Hyun-wook (22, NH Nonghyup Bank) and Lee Seong-ho (22, Hana Financial Group). Rising prospect Park Jung-hoon (20, Chong Kun Dang), who aims to secure a KPGA Tour spot this year, and Kim Yong-tae (27), winner of last season's KPGA Challenge Tour Championship, are also on the entry list.
The KPGA Challenge Tour consists of 20 events. Events 1–5 make up Season 1, events 6–10 Season 2, events 11–15 Season 3, and events 16–19 Season 4.
The 20th event—the Challenge Tour Championship—will again be contested in a Tour Championship format, open only to the top 60 players in the season points standings.
After the Challenge Tour Championship concludes, the top 10 players in season points will earn KPGA Tour cards for 2027. The next 10 players will gain direct entry to the KPGA Tour QT Final Stage, and the following 10 will advance directly to the KPGA Tour QT Stage 2.
Several players have used the Challenge Tour as a springboard to success on the KPGA Tour and beyond. Jo Woo-young (25, Woori Financial Group) opened his 2026 season with a win at the Asian Tour's Philippines Golf Championship in February. Kim Baek-joon (25) notched his first KPGA Tour victory at last year's DB Insurance Promy Open, and Bae Yong-jun (26, CJ), now in his fifth KPGA Tour season, has two career wins.
The KPGA Challenge Tour plays a crucial role in helping promising players develop the game and prepare for larger stages.
The 2026 KPGA Challenge Tour will be televised by the tour's broadcast partner, SBS Golf 2.
[Sports Today reporter Shin Seo-young sports@stoo.com]
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