'Prize Money Leader' Jung Min Hong Claims the Champion of Champions Title... Adds Another 300 Million Won in Prize Money

The 2025 season of the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour concluded as 'the year of Jung Min Hong.' After securing the titles of prize money leader and most wins, she also triumphed in the season's final event, the WEMIX Championship.
On the 16th at Mauna Ocean Country Club (par 71) in Gyeongju, Jung Min Hong carded a 4-under-par in the final round of the WEMIX Championship, adding 300 million won to her prize money. She had already claimed the prize money leader title in the KLPGA regular season, accumulating a total of 1,341,520,000 won.
With three wins this season (MEDIHEAL · HANKOOKILBO Championship, KLPGA Championship, K-Food Nolboo·Hwami Masters), she shared the most wins title with Lee Ye-won and Bang Shinsil. Jung Min Hong commented, "I tried to let go of my greed, and better results followed."
Improved stamina compared to last year, a relaxed mindset, and enhanced putting focus were key factors. During the summer, she had to be cautious with medication due to a skin allergy, being mindful of doping regulations, but she completed the season with an unwavering routine.
In fact, Jung Min Hong is not known for explosive driving distance. It is difficult to define her by a single outstanding trait. However, her precise trajectory control, course management, and crisis response skills are unrivaled in the KLPGA. Her resilience is unbreakable—this is the essence of Jung Min Hong's golf.
Her style of play shone once again in the season's final event, the WEMIX Championship. In the opening day's match play on the 15th, Jung Min Hong secured victory over Han Jinseon with five birdies, clinching the win after just 15 holes.
Only the 12 winners of match play advanced to the 'Final A' group, from which the overall champion would emerge. In the second day's stroke play, her well-rounded game was on full display: bogey-free with five birdies through 12 holes. She minimized wind impact with low ball flights and dominated the course with steady shots.
Her approach shots, a particular strength, were sharp, and her putting was calculated. That does not mean she faced no adversity. On the par-3 13th hole, she encountered trouble when her tee shot landed on a slope, making a bogey seem inevitable. However, Jung Min Hong skillfully bounced her ball off the cart path from the hill, leaving it within 3.3 meters of the pin. It was almost like a 'designed miracle.'
This par save shifted the momentum of the match. Afterward, as competitor Ma Da-som's birdie putt missed the hole, the victory tilted decisively in Jung Min Hong's favor.
Ultimately, she maintained her lead on the leaderboard with steady play until the end and claimed the season's final trophy. In addition to being the prize money leader, she achieved an 'unofficial fourth win,' capping off an unrivaled season finale.
After the match, Jung Min Hong stated, "Next year, I want to challenge for the Player of the Year award and also aim to win the Korea Women's Open Golf Championship, a major event." She added, "I received more support than ever before. I enjoyed every round over the two days and want to thank the fans for their encouragement."
Another highlight of the WEMIX Championship, the Daily Best, went to Park Hyun-kyung. The Daily Best is awarded to the player with the best score of the day. Park Hyun-kyung of the Final B group surpassed Jung Min Hong by back count and received a prize of 20 million won.
Meanwhile, a record crowd gathered at Mauna Ocean Country Club, the venue for the final golf event of 2025, to enjoy the excitement of the sport. By 11 a.m., the total attendance over the two days had already surpassed last year's 18,000 spectators, marking the largest gallery ever.
jsi@fnnews.com Reporter