Korean star An takes the helm
Four players, one flag, and a new chapter for Korea on the global stage
South Korean star Byeong Hun An will join LIV Golf for the 2026 season as captain of the newly rebranded Korean Golf Club, leading a fully Korean line-up alongside Danny Lee, Younghan Song and Minkyu Kim.
An, 34, arrives with one of the most distinguished résumés in modern Korean golf, highlighted by his status as the youngest winner of the U.S. Amateur Championship in 2009 and a career that includes a landmark victory at the BMW PGA Championship in 2015. That win made him the first Asian champion in the tournament’s history and earned him Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year honours.
“Joining LIV Golf is a defining move for my future,” said An. “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.”
The appointment also reunites An with long-time peers. Song, who made his LIV Golf debut in April 2025, brings international experience and two professional victories on overseas tours, including the Japan Golf Tour, while Kim was the youngest winner in European Tour group history at 17 and debuted with LIV Golf in 2025. Lee returns for his fourth LIV Golf season, having claimed victory in just his second start with a four-way playoff win at LIV Golf Tucson.
“This is a landmark moment for Korean Golf Club,” said general manager Martin Kim. “Ben An is one of the most accomplished golfers of his generation, and his leadership as captain sets the standard for everything we want this team to represent.”