Incheon: As LIV Golf prepares for its inaugural tournament in South Korea this week, South Korean-born players are eager to put on a strong performance in what they consider their "home game." LIV Golf Korea kicks off on Friday at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea in Incheon, culminating on Sunday after 54 holes on the par-72, 7,376-yard course.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Saudi Arabia-backed tour comprises 13 teams of four players each. This week, the spotlight is on Iron Heads Golf Club (GC), captained by Korean American Kevin Na. The team also features Korean-born Kiwi Danny Lee and South Korean Jang Yu-bin. Na, who was born in Seoul, shared his enthusiasm at a pre-tournament press conference, expressing hope that Korean fans will embrace the LIV Golf concept and support both Iron Heads and the tour.
LIV Golf distinguishes itself from the PGA Tour with a shorter season from February to August, 54-hole tournaments, a shotgun start format, and a relaxed dress code allowing players to wear shorts. Entertainment is a key aspect, with a concert featuring K-pop stars G-Dragon and Ive scheduled for Sunday evening.
Lee, originally from Incheon, acknowledged the pressure of competing at home but emphasized the importance of focusing on playing well. Jang, the first South Korean national to join LIV Golf, reflected on his rookie season, noting the learning experience of playing golf as a team sport. Despite his struggles in previous tournaments, Jang is determined to use the Korean tournament as a turning point, drawing on advice from his more experienced teammates, Na and Lee.
Jang's performance on the KPGA Korean Tour in 2024, where he earned Player of the Year and money title honors, has not yet translated to success in LIV Golf. He has yet to finish above 23rd place in six tournaments and finished last in Mexico last week. Acknowledging his need for improvement, particularly with his putting, Jang is committed to working hard and trusting himself to succeed on the global stage.