South Korea ranks among the world's largest golf markets, with a passionate community of over 50 million participants (including on-course and simulator play), representing nearly 10% of the population. The country features hundreds of courses, tens of thousands of simulators, and a thriving industry driven by young players, women, and luxury trends — making it a strategic priority for global golf leagues.
LIV Golf is capitalizing on this momentum by strengthening its presence in Korea. Following the highly successful debut of LIV Golf Korea in May 2025 at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea in Incheon — presented by Coupang Play — the league today announced that South Korean star Byeong Hun An will serve as captain of the newly rebranded Korean Golf Club for the 2026 season.
The fully Korean roster includes Younghan Song, Minkyu Kim, and Danny Lee, creating a team that celebrates national pride and Korea's growing influence on the global stage.
An, the youngest U.S. Amateur champion in history (2009, age 17), made history as the first Asian winner of the BMW PGA Championship in 2015. His recent highlights include a 2024 Genesis Championship victory over Tom Kim in a playoff, plus strong PGA Tour performances and representation for Korea at the Olympics and Presidents Cup.
“Joining LIV Golf is a defining move for my future,” An said. “LIV Golf is becoming a leading force in the game and a truly global golf league with a clear vision for the future; I see a great opportunity to grow my career as captain of Korean Golf Club: To compete at the highest level, embrace a dynamic team environment, and help shape this new era of the sport.”
LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil highlighted the market focus: “The arrival of Ben underscores our long-term commitment to — and deep belief in — the Korean market and the important role it plays in shaping the future of global golf... Korea has established itself as one of the sport’s most passionate markets, capable of producing a pipeline of world-class talent.”
The rebranded Korean Golf Club builds on proven talent: Song brings international wins and composure, Kim holds the record as the youngest European Tour winner (age 17), and Lee returns as a LIV Golf champion.
The 2025 LIV Golf Korea event set the tone with elite competition fused with K-culture, including headline performances by G-Dragon and other artists, drawing massive crowds and showcasing golf as entertainment. South Korea's golf obsession — from packed ranges to simulator culture — positions LIV Golf for significant growth in attendance, digital engagement, merchandise, and future events.
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