Kim Yeon-seop claims first KPGA David Golf Tour win 16 years after turning pro

Kim Yeon-seop claimed his first career victory at the 17th event of the 2026 KPGA David Golf Tour, which carried a total purse of 100 million won ($73,600) and a winner's prize of 20 million won. Kim fired a 7-under-par 64 in the second round of the tournament, held Thursday and Friday at Solago CC's Sol Course (par 71) in Taean, South Chungcheong Province. He posted a bogey-free 64 on Thursday to finish at 14 under par 128, pulling away from the group tied for second by five strokes. Claiming his first win 16 years after turning professional, Kim said he was "a bit dazed since it's my first career win, but I feel absolutely great." He added that he hoped to become "a player who gives dreams and hope to young players and fellow professionals who keep working without giving up." Kim turned pro as an associate member in December 2004 and earned full tour membership in October 2010. His best result on the KPGA Tour came at the 2024 KB Financial Group Liiv Championship, where he finished runner-up. His best finish this season was a share of seventh place at the 69th KPGA Championship, where he carded a 5-under-par 279. Jung Jae-hoon (29), Byun Young-jae (32, Cowell), Kevin Jeon (41, KCH Energy) and Kwon Oh-sang (31) finished in a four-way tie for second at 9 under par 133, while Lee Sang-won (20) took sole sixth place at 8 under par 134.

Sept. 4, 2026

Park Hang-seo: 'I read the apology alone — everyone else was dodging'

Park Hang-seo, former head of the Korea Football Association's support delegation for the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, has leveled sharp criticism at the KFA over the administrative chaos that followed South Korea's group-stage elimination. Park made the remarks in an appearance on the YouTube channel "Seo Hyung-wook's Ppol-li TV," recounting a series of incidents from the World Cup campaign. The video, released Wednesday, has surpassed 1 million views. Park exposed what he described as the KFA's baffling administrative failures. The most glaring was his reading the apology statement alone at the press conference marking Hong Myung-bo's resignation as head coach. "Everyone was there when the apology statement came out — the chairman, everyone," Park said. "They said it would be good if the delegation head was there too. But when I looked around, it seemed like the secretary general and the performance enhancement committee chair didn't want to stand up there. So I told those two to step back — I'd handle it alone." Park also took aim at Hong, who read a prepared statement at the press conference without taking questions and left with his hands in his pockets, as well as at KFA leadership who were present but did not step forward. "I couldn't understand ending it without taking reporters' questions," Park said. "When you need to face things head-on, you have to do it. You have to cleanly admit your mistakes and take the hits if they're coming. Avoiding it doesn't make it go away. At the airport when we returned home, everyone was looking around waiting for someone else to act, so I thought it was my duty and stepped forward." Park said "an invisible KFA cartel runs deeper than school ties" and called for "young football people with no personal agenda to come to the fore." He urged the association to undertake "bone-deep self-reflection" and fundamentally overhaul its culture.

Sept. 4, 2026

Tiger Woods loses driver's license — but can he still drive a golf cart?

The golf and legal worlds have been buzzing with analysis over whether Tiger Woods, who received a five-year driver's license suspension, can still legally operate a golf cart. Judge Darren Steel of Martin County Court in Florida sentenced Woods on Thursday on charges of reckless and careless driving, handing down a five-year license suspension and a $1,500 fine. In the immediate aftermath of the ruling, major golf media outlets including Golfweek focused heavily on the legal question of whether Woods can drive a golf cart while his license is revoked. Judge Steel issued a stern warning during sentencing, saying Woods would be sent to prison immediately if caught driving for any reason. The statement made clear that his right to drive on public roads had been entirely stripped away. Florida traffic law, however, draws a meaningful distinction. Under state law, adults 18 and older may legally operate a golf cart without holding a driver's license. That provision applies not only on golf courses but also in certain legally designated zones. Prosecutors confirmed that while Woods is strictly prohibited from driving a conventional vehicle on public roads, operating a golf cart within Florida is not tied to license status and therefore does not expose him to direct legal penalty. In sum, Woods faces the serious legal risk of imprisonment if he drives a regular vehicle on public roads over the next five years. Yet Florida's specific license-exemption provision and the legal definition of golf cart operation mean he is expected to remain free to drive a cart during practice sessions or informal rounds. The situation illustrates that even under serious judicial punishment, a narrow avenue remains for Woods to maintain a minimum level of on-course activity as a professional golfer. His longtime manager, Mark Steinberg, said Woods "is not avoiding responsibility for his actions and has surrendered his license for the next five years," adding that he "is focused on treatment and making his health the top priority." Woods' legal team offered no separate official comment on the ruling.

Sept. 4, 2026

Kim Min-su, Yoo Min-hyuk among South Koreans set for Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship

Tournament tees off Oct. 29 at Tara Iti Links in New Zealand; winner earns spots at Masters Tournament and The Open The field for the 2026 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) has been set, with 118 players confirmed to compete for major championship berths. Now in its 17th edition, the AAC runs Oct. 29 through Nov. 1 at the South Course of Tara Iti Links in New Zealand. Founded in 2009, the tournament is co-hosted by the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), the Masters Tournament and the R&A to promote amateur golf across the Asia-Pacific region. The winner earns starts at the 2027 Masters Tournament and the 155th Open Championship, while the runner-up receives a place in The Open's final qualifying. The top three finishers also earn entry into the 132nd Amateur Championship. Of the 120 spots in the field, 118 have been filled by players representing 40 APGC member nations, organizers said Friday. Seven players ranked in the top 50 of the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) headline the entry list. They are Harry Takis of Australia (No. 17), Zachary Swanwick of New Zealand (No. 19), defending champion Pippa Laopakdi of Thailand (No. 29), Nguyen Anh Minh of Vietnam (No. 30), Joshi Duangmani of Thailand (No. 40), 2024 runner-up Zhou Ziqin of China (No. 46) and Moto Taishi of Japan (No. 49). Five countries have won the AAC title: China (five times), Australia (four), Japan (four), South Korea (two) and Thailand (once). South Korea will be represented by six players in total. Kim Min-su, ranked 102nd in the world amateur rankings as of Wednesday, leads the domestic contingent alongside Yoo Min-hyuk (208th), Son Je-i (299th) and Jeon Ji-yul (805th). Two players of Korean descent competing abroad round out the group: Lee Byung-ho (335th) and Park Si-woo (602nd). The AAC has served as a launching pad for some of the world's top professionals. Alumni include Hideki Matsuyama of Japan, the 2021 Masters champion and a two-time AAC winner; Cameron Smith of Australia, the 2022 Open champion; and Ryan Fox of New Zealand, the 2026 Open champion. Kanaya Takumi, Nakajima Keita (both Japan), Cameron Davis, Min Woo Lee (both Australia), Kim Si-woo (South Korea) and Pan Cheng-tsung (Chinese Taipei) have also gone on to compete on the world stage after playing in the AAC. AAC alumni have combined for more than 180 victories on major professional tours worldwide, including 34 on the PGA Tour. Nine players from Pan Cheng-tsung's team for the upcoming International Junior Presidents Cup — which Pan will captain in September — are also entered in the 2026 AAC.

Sept. 4, 2026

South Korea interim coach Moreno: 'We'll show it on the pitch'

Roberto Moreno, newly appointed interim head coach of the South Korean men's national football team, has laid out his commitment to the role. Moreno posted a message on his personal website Thursday (local time), saying he felt both honored and deeply responsible. "I have known and respected Korean football for a long time," he wrote. "My mission now is to work for Korean football. I will not promise results — but I will promise effort, honesty and respect. What we want to say, we will show on the pitch." European coaches often maintain personal websites in addition to their SNS accounts. The Korea Football Association approved Moreno's appointment as interim head coach at a board meeting Tuesday. Moreno will lead the team through a total of six A-match fixtures until November. He previously served as assistant coach at FC Barcelona in Spain's La Liga, and as both assistant coach and interim head coach of the Spanish national team. His first match in charge will be a friendly against Ecuador on Sept. 24 at 8 p.m. at Suwon World Cup Stadium. South Korea will then face Uruguay on Sept. 28, Venezuela on Oct. 2 and Uzbekistan on Oct. 6. It has been reported that the arrangement includes a condition under which Moreno could remain in charge through the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup, to be held in Saudi Arabia next year, depending on his performance across the six A-matches.

Sept. 4, 2026

Amazingcre unveils 26FW pictorial with actor Eom Ji-won

Golf wear brand Amazingcre has released its 26FW pictorial "Play Goes On," featuring actor Eom Ji-won. Produced in collaboration with fashion magazine Vogue, the pictorial captures what the brand describes as "the continuing story of Eom Ji-won — a competitor on the course — and Amazingcre." The images range from dynamic swing shots set against the fairway to more relaxed moments, pairing Eom's signature restrained charisma with pieces from the Amazingcre 26FW collection. Particularly notable is the pictorial's incorporation of the "back view" — the visual motif Amazingcre introduced as a signature image through its 26FW campaign. Select shots naturally highlight the back logo and structural detailing, carrying the design identity the brand has emphasized this season into the editorial. Eom works through a range of field styles in the pictorial, wearing 26FW pieces including a zip-up jacket with culottes, a knit jacket with trousers, and a hooded jacket with a skirt. A sweater look in white and red blends lightweight, high-stretch performance yarn with woven fabric to boost mobility and warmth, with logo detailing in the season's signature colors adding a finishing accent. The swing sequence showcases the Hyperpro Accordio Swing Jacket and the Hyperpro Seamless Tech Skirt, both focused on performance. The swing jacket maximizes mobility through a three-dimensional pattern and knit-hybrid construction optimized for the golf swing, while the skirt applies the same knit-hybrid design to enhance freedom of movement at address. Both pieces combine lightweight construction and stretch with additional field-ready properties — a soft touch on the jacket and breathability on the skirt.

Sept. 4, 2026

Golfzon Market launches 'Golf Daejeon' discount event through Sept. 27

Golfzon Market, a golf equipment retailer operated by Golfzon Commerce, announced Friday it is holding "Golf Daejeon," a discount sale on popular domestic and international golf brands, running through Sept. 27. The event is Golfzon Market's largest discount promotion of the second half of 2026 and runs simultaneously online and in stores. Products on offer at special discounted and clearance prices span a wide range of brands and categories — golf clubs, bags, shoes, gloves, balls and rangefinders. Shoppers can also earn bonus G-Pass points based on their purchase amount. Discounted club offerings include the TaylorMade Qi35, Xxio 13, Bridgestone V300 9 Iron and Callaway Elyte driver. Bundle promotions are also available on select accessories, including a two-pack of FootJoy hats and a three-dozen set of Bridgestone balls. Additional events during the sale period include a Gift Festa, where customers who spend above a set amount can enter to win G-Pass points, and a Golfzon Market screen golf tournament offering the event's largest prizes. Brand Week promotions featuring Majesty, Callaway, Bridgestone and TaylorMade will also run during the period. "We expanded the scale of this Golf Daejeon as a way of giving back to our customers," said Hwang Un-tae, division head at Golfzon Commerce. "We have prepared a wide range of discounts and events so that golfers getting ready for autumn rounds can stock up on what they need without breaking the bank."

Sept. 4, 2026

UFC featherweight contender Evloev draws backlash over sexist remarks about women's MMA

Comments come ahead of title fight against Volk; Russian fighters have history of similar remarks Movsar Evloev (32, Russia), who is set to challenge UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski for the title, has drawn criticism after making sexist remarks about women's MMA. In a recent interview with MMA Junkie reporter Mike Bohn, Evloev said he does not watch women's fights and finds them unwatchable. "I don't watch women's fights. I just can't watch it. It's too hard to watch," he said, dismissing women's bouts as not worth viewing. He added that he had seen perhaps one women's fight — the second bout between Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Rose Namajunas — and acknowledged it was a good, high-level contest. "I don't watch a lot of fights, but all the women's fights I've seen were not good," he said. "Maybe they need a separate UFC just for women." UFC introduced a women's division in late 2012 and held its first women's main event the following year, featuring Ronda Rousey against Liz Carmouche. While the early level of competition was admittedly modest, the women's divisions have grown dramatically over the past 13 years, and questions about the quality of women's bouts are rarely raised today. Despite that progress, Evloev's dismissal of women's MMA drew pushback from several outlets, with some questioning whether he was in any position to make such a critique. MMA Mania wrote in its coverage that Evloev is far from the first prominent fighter to criticize women's MMA, but called him "the least qualified to make such a criticism." In 10 UFC bouts, Evloev has never once recorded a finish, and his fights have been so widely panned as boring that UFC matchmakers kept him out of featherweight title contention until they had nearly exhausted all other available challengers. On his suggestion that women's MMA needs its own separate organization, MMA Mania noted that such a promotion already exists — Invicta FC. Evloev is not the first Russian fighter to voice such views. Fedor Emelianenko, widely regarded as the greatest heavyweight of the 2000s, said in 2014 that while he respected athletes who defended their country's honor in the Olympics, wrestling and boxing, he could not support women's MMA as a combination of those disciplines. "Women should do housework and raise children," he said at the time. "There are many sports that help with that, but MMA is not one of them." In March, Khabib Nurmagomedov — considered one of the greatest fighters in UFC history — added a religious dimension to similar sentiments, saying it was strange and difficult for him to watch women fighting and getting hit in the face. "Women were created weaker, men were created stronger," he said. Calls for a clarification and apology followed, but Nurmagomedov stood by his remarks. Meanwhile, Evloev carries an unbeaten record of 20 wins and no losses into his title fight against reigning champion Volkanovski, scheduled for October in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The bout is considered an even matchup. Evloev has vowed to attempt 100 takedowns, making Volkanovski's ground defense the likely deciding factor.

Sept. 4, 2026

Kakao Golf Booking teams up with Gangwon Tourism Foundation to boost regional tourism

Overnight golf travel packages launched for Taebaek and Yeongwol Kakao Golf Booking, the golf and leisure platform operated by Kakao VX, has again joined forces with the Gangwon Tourism Foundation to offer overnight golf travel packages aimed at boosting tourism in regions transitioning away from the coal industry, continuing a partnership from last year. The packages are part of the foundation's "Leisure Moeum.ZIP" program, a tourism revitalization initiative for coal-industry transition areas. The Taebaek package, centered on O2 Country Club in Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, includes greens fees, golf-hotel accommodation, a club breakfast and admission to the Taebaek Coal Museum. The Yeongwol package, based at Donggang Sistar Country Club, covers greens fees, golf-hotel accommodation, a club breakfast and admission to Jangneung Royal Tomb. Both packages are available exclusively through the Kakao Golf Booking platform on a first-come, first-served basis until Oct. 30. "For two consecutive years, working with the Gangwon Tourism Foundation, we have put together travel packages where golf is not just exercise but part of a healing getaway," a Kakao VX official said. "We hope visitors will enjoy a round amid Gangwon's beautiful autumn scenery, connect with the region's culture and nature, and contribute to the local economy."

Sept. 4, 2026

Chimaev says Imavov deserves title shot against Strickland

Former champion calmly accepts being bypassed for next title fight Vows to stay at middleweight until he reclaims the belt Hamzat Chimaev (32, UAE) had been eager for an immediate rematch after losing the middleweight title to Sean Strickland, but the former champion appears to have set aside his impatience and quietly accepted that he may need to wait his turn. Chimaev raised no serious objection to reports that reigning champion Strickland is pursuing a title defense against Nassourdine Imavov, who has long been ranked as the No. 1 contender. His stance, rather, is to get back into the octagon as soon as possible and earn a title shot in the fight after that. "It's no surprise that Strickland and Imavov are being lined up," Chimaev said Thursday (local time) in an interview with Russian combat sports outlet Ushatyaka. "Imavov has probably been waiting for a title shot for about two years now. He's already earned it. Whoever wins, I'll fight them next." Strickland defeated Chimaev in May to claim his second UFC middleweight title and has since been focused on recovering from injury. He has said he hopes to return to the octagon before the end of this year, and with Imavov emerging as the top candidate for his next defense, that wish now appears within reach. Imavov is currently on a six-fight unbeaten run, including one no-contest. During that stretch he headlined four events, knocking out former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and also defeating Caio Borralho and Brendan Allen. Imavov's last loss came in 2023, when he stepped in as a short-notice replacement to face Strickland and lost by decision in a non-title light heavyweight bout. Should the matchup be confirmed, it would be a revenge fight more than three years in the making — and Imavov's first crack at a title. Chimaev, for his part, kicked off his comeback campaign this week by naming Strickland, Dricus du Plessis, Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho as potential opponents for his next fight, with Borralho drawing particular interest. He had originally planned to move up to light heavyweight after defending the middleweight title against Strickland, but since losing the belt he has repeatedly said he will stay at his current weight class until he wins it back. He reaffirmed that stance recently, saying, "I'm not going anywhere until I knock everyone out at middleweight." If Strickland's first title defense takes place late this year, a title fight between Chimaev and the winner is expected to follow in the first half of next year. Meanwhile, Chimaev is set to compete in a wrestling match against former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley in the main event of the RAF Moscow grappling event in Russia on Saturday.

Sept. 4, 2026

Kim Bo-kyung wins Champions Tour title in playoff, enters multiple-win race with Bae Kyung-eun

Kim Bo-kyung (40) claimed victory at the KLPGA 2026 Eastone Ocean Beach Champions Tour 8th event, which carried a purse of 70 million won, after a playoff. In the final round Thursday at Ocean Beach Golf & Resort's Ocean-Beach Course (par 72, 5,962 yards) in Yeongdeok, North Gyeongsang Province, Kim fired a 6-under-par 66 to finish at 12-under 132, level with Lee Jeong-eun 3 (41) and Moon Ji-young 2 (42), who shared second place. Kim then birdied the first playoff hole — the par-5 18th — from 1.5 meters to defeat Lee and Moon, both of whom made par, and lift her second trophy of the season. "Early on, I fell quite a few strokes behind the leader, so I stopped thinking about winning and just played with a clear mind," Kim said. "I made three consecutive birdies on holes 16 through 18 and was able to finish strong. I'm even happier because the win came when I least expected it." Kim joined the KLPGA in August 2004 and has four victories on the regular tour, beginning with the Doosan Match Play title in the 2008 season. Now 40, she is competing on the Champions Tour this year. She won her debut Champions Tour event — the KLPGA 2026 Champions Classic 1st event — becoming the ninth player in tour history to win in her first start. The victory gives Kim two wins this season, drawing level with Bae Kyung-eun (41) in the race for the most wins title. Kim added a winner's check of 10.5 million won ($7,670), lifting her season earnings to 41.19 million won and moving her to third on the money list. The final round of the tournament, co-hosted by Eastone Ocean Beach Golf & Resort and SBS Golf and organized by the KLPGA, will be broadcast on a tape-delay basis on SBS Golf starting at 6 p.m. on Sept. 21.

Sept. 3, 2026

South Korea's Asian Games squad vows to give their all at Aichi-Nagoya

Delegation of about 800 gathers to pledge strong showing Fencer Oh Sang-uk: 'Will do my best with a challenger's spirit' Team targets 45 golds; main contingent departs Sept. 19 South Korea's athletes bound for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games gathered Thursday to receive encouragement and pledge their best performances. The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee held the national delegation's send-off ceremony at the velodrome of the National Training Center in Jincheon, North Chungcheong Province. About 800 people attended, including Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwi-young, Korean Sport & Olympic Committee President Yoo Seung-min, delegation chief Lee Sang-hyun — who also serves as president of the Korea Cycling Federation — as well as athletes and officials from member sports associations. President Lee Jae Myung sent a congratulatory message read aloud by Minister Choi. "I am truly proud of the athletes who have carried the Taeguk mark on their chests and kept pushing past their limits, and of the coaches and staff who have stood quietly by their side with unwavering dedication," he said. He added: "I trust in the time you have poured into this without rest, and I hope you will show the world every bit of the skill you have honed right up to the final moment." KSOC President Yoo pledged to look after the delegation's every need. "We will take careful care of accommodations, transportation, meals and medical support so that athletes can focus entirely on competing," he said. "Through Korea House, we will also promote Korean sports and culture widely and work hard on sports diplomacy." The ceremony also featured introductions of the delegation's members, and Yoo presented the team flag to delegation chief Lee. Minister Choi, Yoo, Lee, athlete representatives Oh Sang-uk (fencing) and Yeo Seo-jeong (gymnastics), and International Olympic Committee Athletes' Commission member Won Yun-jong took the stage together and simultaneously touched a Taeguk emblem displayed on a large LED media wall in a ceremonial send-off. Swimmer Kim Woo-min, who competes for Gangwon Province, is one of South Korea's top aquatics stars. "I want to go for back-to-back MVP of the delegation," he said. "It won't be easy, but I want to push for it as hard as I can." Women's volleyball middle blocker Lee Da-hyun said the occasion made the Games feel real. "Being here makes me feel the tournament is actually coming. I really love the team uniform," she said. "This is what the Asian Games are all about — it definitely gives you motivation." Seo Chang-wan, a modern pentathlete who has been turning in strong results on the international circuit recently, said he felt more settled than before. "At the Hangzhou Asian Games I went in knowing nothing, but this time I'm preparing with a calmer mindset," he said. "My performance level has come up a lot and my feel for the events is good, so I just need to stay injury-free." Fencing star Oh Sang-uk joined Minister Choi and others on stage for the send-off ceremony as one of the athlete representatives and expressed gratitude for the honor. "There are so many athletes, so I'm truly thankful to have the privilege of standing up front as a representative," he said. Oh won two gold medals in men's sabre at the Paris Olympics and is aiming to sweep the individual and team titles for a second consecutive Asian Games. "There is pressure in defending my titles, but I will do my best with a challenger's spirit," he said. On the delegation's overall goal of finishing third in the medal standings, Oh said he believed the team could go even further. "If every athlete gives their best in their own event, third place is absolutely within reach," he said. "But I hope Korea can climb to second, or even first." The Games are the first summer Asian Games held in Japan in 32 years. They open with a ceremony at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, on Sept. 19 and run through Oct. 4 — a total of 16 days. A total of 469 gold medals will be on offer across 43 sports and 71 disciplines. South Korea is sending a delegation of 1,052 people, including athletes competing in 41 sports along with team and headquarters officials. The main contingent departs for Nagoya on Sept. 19. The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee has set a target of 40 to 45 gold medals and a third-place finish in the overall standings — a position South Korea held at both the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games and the 2023 Hangzhou Games. The committee also aims to narrow the gap with host nation Japan, which finished second at both of those tournaments.

Sept. 3, 2026

Yeongcheon horse racing park to open Friday

Fourth such venue in South Korea, after Gwacheon, Jeju and Busan-Gyeongnam 72 races scheduled over 12 weeks in the second half of the year Let's Run Park Yeongcheon, a horse racing complex long sought by Yeongcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, will open for full operations 17 years after the site was selected in 2009. The Korea Racing Authority said it will open the grandstand facilities at Let's Run Park Yeongcheon on Friday and hold a public opening ceremony with local residents on Sunday. The fourth Let's Run Park in South Korea — after Seoul (Gwacheon), Jeju and Busan-Gyeongnam — is expected to become the largest horse industry and leisure destination in the Yeongnam region, equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure. The Sunday opening ceremony, to be held on a special outdoor stage in front of the grandstand, will be attended by local lawmakers and municipal leaders. The inaugural commemorative race will be accompanied by a taekwondo demonstration by the Arirang Taemoo Corps and a performance by the Army 3rd Officers Academy military band. With this opening, Yeongcheon completes the first full inland horse industry cycle in the country — spanning production, training, welfare, racing and tourism. The city had already established the Unjusan Equestrian Training Center in 2009 and, in 2015, became the first inland area outside Jeju to be designated a horse industry special zone. The most distinctive feature setting Yeongcheon apart from the three existing parks is the country's first "regional circuit racing" system. Racehorses will be based in Busan-Gyeongnam and transported to Yeongcheon on race days — a model already common in the United States, Japan and Hong Kong. Twelve races are scheduled at Yeongcheon in September, with 72 races to be held over 12 weeks in the second half of the year. Given the increased travel demands on the horses, significant attention has been paid to their welfare. Following the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities' guidelines on equine transport welfare, the authority commissioned 13 dedicated 13.5-ton vibration-free transport vehicles. Each is fitted with climate-control air conditioning, adjustable partitions and special rubber flooring to prevent injuries — and, for the first time in South Korea, real-time GPS tracking and a classical music broadcast system. The grandstand, designed with a terraced hanok-inspired aesthetic, spans one below-ground floor and four above-ground floors and can accommodate 3,500 spectators. The infield will be developed into a large eco-friendly waterfront park, and the 1,746-space parking lot will feature solar panel canopies as part of the facility's carbon neutrality commitment. The opening of Let's Run Park Yeongcheon carries significance beyond simply expanding leisure options. It is expected to create new local jobs and draw large numbers of tourists, giving a major boost to the local economy. Significant improvements to transport infrastructure are also on the horizon: the planned extension of Daegu Metro Line 1 to Yeongcheon, combined with the opening of Geumho and Daechang smart interchange ramps, will position Yeongcheon as a well-connected transport hub and a destination city for extended-stay tourism. "Let's Run Park Yeongcheon is the fourth racing park to open after Seoul, Jeju and Busan-Gyeongnam, and it will be more than just a racing facility — it will be a new engine of growth that breathes vitality into the regional economy," Korea Racing Authority Chairman Woo Hee-jong said. "We will make it the warmest co-prosperity landmark that becomes a source of pride for Yeongcheon residents and shares in the hardships of the community."

Sept. 3, 2026

PBA to hold trick-shot performances, one-point lessons at Kintex on Friday and Saturday

The Professional Billiards Association (PBA) will take part in "Kinbam Jisaewugo," a local festival in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, running Friday and Saturday at Hall 2 of the Korea International Exhibition Center (Kintex). Now in its fifth year, the festival is one of Goyang's signature community events. Held in the outdoor plaza in front of Kintex Hall 2, it runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. each evening and features food trucks, flea markets, a sharing market, activity zones and live performances. The PBA, which operates its dedicated arena at Kintex, plans to use the festival to promote professional billiards to attendees. The association will open the Goyang Kintex PBA Stadium and the PBA Lounge for family-friendly events, trick-shot performances, a stamp tour and a lucky draw. On Friday, starting at 7 p.m. in the PBA Lounge, Daniel Sanchez and Kim Jae-geun will open the evening with a trick-shot demonstration, followed at 7:20 p.m. by one-point lessons led by the players themselves. The one-point lesson lineup includes Kim Jae-geun, Shin Jeong-ju, Oh Tae-jun, Han Ji-seung, Jeong Bo-yun, Choi Hye-mi, Seo Han-sol and Sruong Pheavy of Cambodia, among other professional billiards stars, who will showcase the appeal of the sport to participants.

Sept. 3, 2026

KPGA to hold seminar on sports law and dispute cases for members

The Korea Professional Golf Association will hold its third seminar of 2026 — titled "Essential Sports Law and Dispute Cases for KPGA Members" — on Wednesday at the KPGA Building conference room in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. The seminar will feature Kwon Sung-kuk, an attorney at law firm Yulchon, and a speaker recommended by the KPGA's technology and education committee. It will be divided into two teaching sessions of 70 minutes each. The event was organized to strengthen members' ability to prevent and respond to legal risks and to deepen their understanding of the law through real-world cases. The program is designed to help KPGA members — whether active as players, coaches or golf industry professionals — grasp key legal issues such as contracts and disputes, and learn how to handle various situations through practical examples. Registration is open to KPGA members on a first-come, first-served basis through Tuesday via the "KPGA Academy" section of the association's website and app.

Sept. 3, 2026

Ex-Daejeon Mayor Yom Hong-chul named head of 2027 Chungcheong Universiade organizing committee

Former Daejeon Mayor Yom Hong-chul will lead the organizing committee for the 2027 Chungcheong Summer Universiade. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Minister Choi Hwi-young presented Yom with his appointment certificate as organizing committee chairman for the 2027 Chungcheong Summer World University Games at Government Complex Sejong on Thursday. Yom received the ministry's formal approval Monday after being recommended by the governors of the four Chungcheong cities and provinces and endorsed by a plenary vote of the organizing committee. The ministry said Yom is a proven administrator and leader, having served as Daejeon mayor three times — first as an appointed mayor in 1993, then as an elected mayor in 2002 and again in 2010. The 2027 Chungcheong Summer Universiade is scheduled to run from Aug. 1 to Aug. 12 next year across four cities and provinces in the Chungcheong region — Daejeon, Sejong, North Chungcheong Province and South Chungcheong Province. More than 15,000 student athletes from about 150 countries are expected to compete across 18 sports. "Chairman Yom is an expert with broad experience in both local and central government, and we expect him to resolve the various challenges facing the games and foster cooperation across the Chungcheong region," Minister Choi said. "The government will spare no effort in providing the support needed for a successful event." "I will do my utmost to bring together the four Chungcheong cities and provinces, the government and the organizing committee so we can put on a games that showcases the appeal of the Chungcheong region to the world," Yom said.

Sept. 3, 2026

Hong Hyun-seok joins Midtjylland on loan, reunites with Cho Gue-sung

South Korea international midfielder Hong Hyun-seok, 27, has left the German league to join Danish club FC Midtjylland on loan, where he will team up with fellow national team player Cho Gue-sung. Midtjylland announced Thursday (Korean Standard Time) that it had signed Hong on a one-year loan deal, with the South Korean assigned the No. 20 jersey. Hong spent last season on back-to-back six-month loan stints — first at Nantes in France, then at KAA Gent in Belgium — and has once again moved on loan for the new campaign. Hong made his European debut in 2021 with LASK in Austria before moving to Gent in Belgium and signing with Mainz in Germany in 2024. In his first season at Mainz, Hong appeared in 23 competitive matches, but he subsequently lost his place in the starting lineup and has now gone out on loan for two consecutive seasons. "Hong has a wealth of experience and can play in multiple positions — he will bring both energy and creativity to the team," Midtjylland said. "Through Cho Gue-sung and Lee Han-beom at Club Brugge, we can see that Hong is also a player who fits well in this environment. We believe he will be a valuable addition." Hong said he was aware of Midtjylland's long-standing interest in him. "I also heard a lot of good things about the club from Gue-sung and Lee Han-beom," he said. "I firmly believe this loan move is the right choice for me." He added that having played alongside Cho for the national team made him look forward to sharing the pitch again at Midtjylland. "It will be great to play together here as well. I'm excited," he said. Midtjylland is the club where South Korea's standout striker Cho Gue-sung is a regular starter. The Danish side signed both Cho and Lee Han-beom in 2023 and went on to win the Danish Superliga title in the 2023-24 season and the Danish Cup in the 2025-26 season. The original Korean duo was broken up last summer when Lee departed for Belgian club Club Brugge, but Hong's arrival is expected to spark a new partnership with Cho.

Sept. 3, 2026

Gaethje eyes McGregor fight over rematch with Holloway or Oliveira

Holloway, Oliveira rematches hold little appeal for champion 'Results of upcoming bouts will determine my next opponent,' Gaethje says UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje (37, United States), savoring life as a late-career champion, has his sights set on Conor McGregor as his next opponent — a high-profile, high-reward matchup he appears to prefer over any revenge bout. In a recent interview with CBS Sports, Gaethje reflected on his changed mindset since winning the title. "Before, I was always chasing the guy who held the belt," he said. "Now that I'm the champion, I feel like I need to protect and hold on to what I have." He then unexpectedly named McGregor as a target. "I don't have a specific opponent in mind. I know the best fighters in the world are gunning for me, and I know my next opponent will be one of them," Gaethje said. "Now it seems like it's McGregor. It would be fun to shut that mouth." The remark laid bare Gaethje's appetite for the so-called "golden goblin." McGregor is not among the world's elite fighters Gaethje was ostensibly referring to — he is widely seen as a big name who would be relatively easy to beat. That perception hardened after McGregor suffered a TKO loss to Max Holloway in his return fight in July, his first bout in five years, after sustaining a knee injury mid-fight and being unable to mount any resistance. On paper, Holloway and Charles Oliveira are the more logical challengers for Gaethje's next defense. Gaethje has previously suffered a KO loss to Holloway and a submission loss to Oliveira, giving both fighters a strong case for a lightweight title shot. Gaethje sees it differently, however. He considers both losses avenged indirectly through his victory over Ilia Topuria at the UFC White House card in June, reasoning that Topuria had finished both "Blessed" Holloway and "Do Bronx" Oliveira in previous title fights before losing to him — making the redemption, in his view, complete by proxy. His wishes may not come to pass, though. The winner of the Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mauricio Ruffy bout at UFC 331 on Sept. 20 appears the more likely candidate to receive the next title shot. Gaethje acknowledged as much. "Tsarukyan was supposed to fight Oliveira, and now he's fighting someone else," he said. "There are some big fights coming up, and the results of those will determine who I fight next." Gaethje announced early on that he would not compete this year due to injury, meaning his title defense — whoever the opponent — is expected in the first half of next year. McGregor, who underwent knee surgery, is also projected to be ready to return no earlier than July of next year.

Sept. 3, 2026

Sports loans diverted to hotels, hagwon in W38.6b scandal

117 violations found; 13 billion won to be clawed back, some cases referred for investigation Government-backed loans intended to develop the sports industry were diverted to hotels, hagwon and other unrelated businesses in cases totaling at least 10 billion won ($7.3 million), an audit has found. The Office for Government Policy Coordination's Joint Anti-Corruption Task Force announced Thursday that a joint inspection with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism had uncovered 117 cases of misuse involving 38.6 billion won in sports industry loans. The sports industry loan program, run by the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation, provides low-interest financing — at rates of 2 to 3 percent — for the installation or operation of sports facilities. The program disbursed about 260 billion won last year. The inspection examined 600 of the 2,860 loans the foundation issued between 2019 and 2024. Investigators found 13 cases worth 14.2 billion won in which loans granted for sports facility construction were used for entirely different purposes. Recipients had secured funding under the guise of building sports facilities but spent the money on accommodation facilities, hagwon and other unrelated ventures. An additional 84 cases totaling 14.1 billion won were flagged as suspected misuse, with borrowers submitting tax invoices unrelated to the loan program or records of personal expenditures as settlement documents. In 15 cases worth 5.5 billion won, borrowers paid themselves inflated salaries or used the funds to cover rent on their own buildings. In five other cases totaling 4.8 billion won, businesses other than the original loan applicants were operating the facilities without the foundation's approval. The government said the foundation had failed to verify supporting documents, leaving improper settlement items undetected, and that on-site inspections covered only about 5 percent of all loans. "The foundation's management of the loan program was found to be comprehensively deficient," it said. Based on the findings, the government plans to recover about 13 billion won from borrowers. Cases involving clearly confirmed illegal conduct, such as the forgery of tax invoices, will be referred for criminal investigation. Going forward, the government intends to shift loan oversight from banks to direct management by the foundation and to introduce a new set of sports loan disbursement guidelines to clarify spending standards, among other systemic reforms.

Sept. 3, 2026

GolfzonCloud upgrades golf course app 'G Lounge'

GolfzonCloud has revamped its G Lounge app, which supports the full round experience from tee-time reservations to score management, the company said Thursday. G Lounge offers convenience features — including reservations, check-in and checkout (payment) — tailored to the operating environment of each affiliated golf course. The app also includes a Live Round feature available during play and a score-review function accessible after a round ends. The Live Round feature provides real-time information on the hole being played, including yardage and pin positions, allowing golfers to assess course strategy and track the flow of their game more intuitively. Players can also check scores as they are recorded in real time and use that data to enjoy various golf games with their playing partners. A mobile checkout function has also been added, streamlining the payment process. Golfers can settle their bills on their phones after a round without visiting the front desk, with support for multiple payment methods including split payments. GolfzonCloud plans to introduce a food and beverage ordering feature to G Lounge in the future. The app is available for download on Google Play and the Apple App Store. "G Lounge integrates the various services golfers need into a single platform to enhance convenience on the course," GolfzonCloud Chief Executive An Won-ik said. "We will continue to strengthen services that improve both golf course operational efficiency and user convenience."

Sept. 3, 2026