Mercedes-Benz Korea co-hosts Korean Women's Open with record 1.5 billion won purse

Tournament runs June 11-14 at Lakewood Country Club in Yangju

Winner to receive 400 million won, berths in AIG Women's Open and Japan Women's Open

Mercedes-Benz Korea announced Thursday it will co-host the Mercedes-Benz 40th Korean Women's Open Golf Championship with the Korea Golf Association, marking a new commitment to supporting women's golf in the country.

The tournament runs June 11-14 at Lakewood Country Club in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province. The Korean Women's Open traces its roots to a women's division of the Korean Open in 1985, with its inaugural standalone event held in 1987, and has since established itself as the premier national title event in Korean women's golf over the past four decades.

Mercedes-Benz Korea joins as title sponsor for three years through 2028. The total purse has been raised to 1.5 billion won ($1.08 million), an increase from previous years, with the winner's share set at 400 million won ($288,000) — the highest first-place prize on the KLPGA Tour. The champion will also receive playing berths in the AIG Women's Open and the Japan Women's Open Golf Championship.

The field includes defending champion Lee Dong-eun as well as Mercedes-Benz Korea brand ambassadors Park Hyun-kyung and Kim Min-byeol. Shin Ji-ae, one of the most decorated names in Korean women's golf, will return to the Korean Women's Open for the first time in 18 years since her 2008 victory.

Mercedes-Benz Korea will run a range of brand experience programs throughout the tournament. The winner will receive a Mercedes-Benz vehicle along with a champion's jacket produced in collaboration with golf apparel brand Boss Golf, while the winner's caddie will receive a one-year Mercedes-Benz vehicle lease. Hole-in-one prizes on all par-3 holes include Mercedes-Benz models such as the E-Class and CLE.

A dedicated fan experience zone will also be set up on the tournament grounds. The G-Class Zone will feature vehicle displays, camping tables and food trucks. Additional highlights include an exhibition of key models — among them the new S-Class, currently available for pre-order — and a Mercedes-Benz Collection shop.

"It is an honor to open a new chapter of the Korean Women's Open, which has been a source of pride for Korean golf for the past 40 years," said Mathias Weitl, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Korea. "We will support the tournament's growth into a world-class event through an expanded purse and the addition of international major championship berths."

eyre@heraldcorp.com