Mercedes-Benz Korea backs Korean Women’s Open
Record purse and AIG Women’s Open berth elevate national championship
Mercedes-Benz Korea has signed on as title sponsor of the Korean Women’s Open Golf Championship, the nation’s premier women’s major and national title, formalising the agreement at a ceremony on 25 February at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul.
Matthias Vaitl, Chief Executive Officer of Mercedes-Benz Korea, and Sang Kook Lee, Executive Vice President, Digital, Marketing and Communications, attended the signing alongside Chung Chang-ki, Vice President of the Korea Golf Association, and Park Jae-hyung, Executive Director.
The Mercedes-Benz 40th Korean Women’s Open Golf Championship will be staged from 11-14 June, with the venue to be announced. The total purse has been raised to 1.5 billion won, reflecting the stature of the championship. The winner will also receive an exemption into the AIG Women’s Open, one of the five major championships in women’s golf, through the event supported by Mercedes-Benz headquarters in Germany.
“It is very meaningful for us to accompany the Korean Women’s Open Golf Championship, which has carried deep tradition and high status,” said Vaitl. “The Mercedes-Benz brand has also built trust and prestige through a 140-year heritage, which makes this sponsorship even more significant. Mercedes-Benz Korea will continue sustained investment and collaboration in the Korean market, expanding opportunities to share our brand’s values and philosophy while contributing to the development of golf culture in Korea.”
Zoe Ridgway, Championship Director of the AIG Women’s Open at The R&A, said: “We are committed to ensuring the AIG Women’s Open brings together the very best players from around the world. Confirming a direct exemption for the champion of the Mercedes-Benz Korea Women’s Open reflects The R&A’s continued focus on providing global pathways into our championship and recognising the strength and depth of women’s golf in Korea.”
Kang Hyung-mo, President of the Korea Golf Association, said: “With the support of Mercedes-Benz Korea, our national title, the Korean Women’s Open Golf Championship, shines even brighter. The Korea Golf Association provides opportunities for young Korean golfers to progress from junior stages to the domestic professional ranks and on to overseas majors. We will continue to create new opportunities.”
First played in 1987, the Korean Women’s Open celebrates its 40th anniversary this year and has long stood as the country’s flagship women’s championship. It has regularly attracted leading domestic players and produced world-class stars.
Mercedes-Benz Korea has supported leading Korean players including Park Hyun-kyung and Kim Min-byeol, and stages domestic qualifying events for the Mercedes Trophy, an amateur tournament involving around 60,000 Mercedes-Benz customers worldwide each year. The German headquarters also serves as an official partner of global championships including the Masters Tournament, The Open Championship and the AIG Women’s Open, strengthening its ties with the sport.