South Korea's Stars Take Center Stage in Minnesota
So here's what's going on in the world of women's golf right now β two of South Korea's biggest names on the LPGA Tour are in action at the 2026 Women's PGA Championship, one of the five major championships in women's professional golf. The tournament is being held at Hazel Dell Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota, and on Friday, June 26, both Ko Jin-young and Choi Hye-jin were out on the course making their moves in the second round.
Ko Jin-young: A Major Contender, As Always
Ko Jin-young (κ³ μ§μ) β if you follow women's golf at all, this name needs no introduction. She's a two-time Women's PGA Championship winner and a former world number one who has spent more weeks atop the Rolex Rankings than almost anyone in the history of the sport. Heading into the weekend rounds in Chaska, Ko was spotted hitting from the second fairway during Friday's play, looking as composed and focused as ever.
What's really interesting is the setting itself. Chaska, Minnesota is golf country β and the Women's PGA Championship is the kind of stage where Ko has historically thrived. For global fans who may not be as familiar with the tournament's prestige, the Women's PGA Championship is part of the LPGA's major championship circuit, sitting alongside events like the ANA Inspiration and the U.S. Women's Open as the most coveted titles in the sport. Winning here means something.
Choi Hye-jin: The Next Generation Makes Her Statement
Then there's Choi Hye-jin (μ΅νμ§), who was photographed hitting from the 10th fairway during the same second round. Choi is a name that Korean golf fans have been buzzing about for years now. She turned professional after a decorated amateur career in South Korea and has steadily built her reputation on the LPGA Tour as one of the more consistent and technically precise players in the field.
So here's the thing about Choi β she represents a kind of passing of the torch moment that Korean golf is experiencing right now. South Korea has long been a powerhouse in women's golf, producing legends like Pak Se-ri (λ°μΈλ¦¬), whose 1998 U.S. Women's Open win is widely credited with inspiring an entire generation of Korean golfers. Ko Jin-young is very much the product of that legacy, and Choi Hye-jin is the next wave riding in behind her.
Korea's Deep Roots in Women's Golf
It's worth pausing for a second to appreciate just how dominant South Korea has been in women's professional golf over the past two decades. The LPGA Tour leaderboard on any given week is likely to feature multiple Korean players, and major championships are no exception. The Women's PGA Championship in particular has seen Korean players lift the trophy on numerous occasions.
What drives this? A combination of rigorous youth development programs, a deeply competitive domestic circuit in South Korea known as the KLPGA Tour, and a cultural emphasis on discipline and precision in training. Players often break through on the KLPGA before making the jump to the LPGA, arriving already battle-tested and mentally sharp. Ko and Choi both followed versions of this path.
Eyes on the Weekend
With the second round now in the books, the field will be cut and the real drama begins heading into the weekend. Whether Ko Jin-young is hunting another major title to add to her already impressive haul, or Choi Hye-jin is looking to announce herself as a genuine major champion in the making, Korean golf fans β and honestly, golf fans everywhere β have plenty of reason to keep their eyes on what's happening in Chaska this weekend.
The Women's PGA Championship continues through the weekend, and if history is any guide, at least one Korean name is likely to be in the conversation when the final putt drops on Sunday.
This article is based on reports from Naver News, Ekn, Naver News.
