KLPGA and LPGA reach agreement on BMW Ladies Championship field size
KLPGA Tour players to secure 30 spots in 2027 following updated 15-player field for this year's staging in Haenam
Paju, Korea - The Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) and the LPGA Tour have reached a dramatic agreement to significantly expand the number of KLPGA Tour players competing in the BMW Ladies Championship starting next season.
In a joint statement released on July 22, the KLPGA and LPGA confirmed that 15 KLPGA Tour players will be granted field spots for the 2026 edition, with that figure doubling to 30 players for the 2027 staging in South Korea.
Under the revised structure for this year’s event—scheduled to take place over four days from October 22 in Haenam, South Korea—the field will consist of 68 LPGA Tour players, 15 KLPGA Tour players, and 1 sponsor exemption in a no-cut format.
The resolution comes after eight months of rigorous negotiations following an initial face-to-face meeting in Seoul last October. Discussions had previously stalled after the LPGA maintained a firm stance on capping KLPGA participation at ten players. Under KLPGA regulations, a minimum of 30 participating tour members is required for an event to receive official status on its calendar, meaning the 2026 tournament results will not count toward official KLPGA season statistics or point standings.
However, the 2027 edition will see the overall field expand to 108 players—comprising 74 LPGA players, 30 KLPGA players, and 4 sponsor exemptions—with a midway cut introduced. Consequently, player records and prize earnings from the 2027 tournament will be fully recognized as official KLPGA Tour statistics.
In their joint statement, both sanctioning bodies underscored their shared commitment to the long-term success of the championship, stating they will continue to work closely together to foster the growth and development of women’s golf.