The first half of the 2026 Korea Professional Golf (KPGA) Tour concluded with intense competition. A total of 10 tournaments were held, starting with the 21st DB Insurance Promi Open and ending with the KPGA Gunsan CC Open on June 28, showcasing a variety of records that captivated golf fans.
The standout performer of the season's first half was undoubtedly Jang Yu-bin. After securing his first victory of the season at the KPGA Classic with IMBITA, held in a modified Stableford format, he followed up with a win at the Hana Bank Invitational, becoming the only player with multiple victories in the first half.
Jang Yu-bin participated in 10 tournaments this season, achieving two wins and finishing in the top five three times, successfully making the cut in nine events. He currently holds the top position in the Genesis points ranking (3,603.70 points), prize money ranking (586,692,297 won), and average birdie rate (23.2026%), dominating all major titles. He leads second-place Song Min-hyuk (2,643.24 points) by 960.46 points.
Jang first reached the top of the Genesis points ranking in May 2024 at the SK Telecom Open and maintained that position for 10 consecutive tournaments, earning the award. He is now aiming to reclaim the title this year. He stated through the KPGA, "I feel like I'm getting closer to my goals. My main objectives this year are to win the Genesis Award and to pass the Korn Ferry Tour Q School. I plan to focus on physical training during the preparation period for the second half and address areas where I need improvement to play more consistently."
Having already accumulated over 580 million won in prize money in the first half, Jang is also eyeing to break his own record for the most prize money in a single season, set in 2024 at 1.129 billion won. With approximately 14.9 billion won in total prize money remaining for the second half, the potential for achieving this record is very high.
The Genesis points standings at the end of the first half were fiercely competitive. Jang Yu-bin and Song Min-hyuk occupied the first and second spots, respectively, while Moon Do-yeob (2,518.86 points) ranked third. Rookie Wang Jeong-hoon, who finished in the top 10 four times in seven tournaments, was fourth (2,463.20 points), followed by Shin Sang-hoon in fifth (2,416.94 points). Moon Dong-hyun (2,403.00 points) was sixth, Kim Sung-hyun (2,187.00 points) seventh, and Choi Chan (2,116.67 points) eighth. Jeong Han-mil, who earned his first victory at the KPGA Gunsan CC Open, ranked ninth (2,092.83 points), while Jeong Chan-min rounded out the top ten in tenth place (2,071.33 points).
Several players demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout the first half. Shin Sang-hoon, returning from military service, participated in all 10 tournaments, achieving the remarkable feat of making the cut in every event. Kim Sung-hyun competed in seven tournaments, finishing in the top 10 five times, including a solo second-place finish, leading the 'TOP 10 Finish' category.
Another notable aspect of the first half of the season was the emergence of new champions. A total of nine winners were crowned across the 10 tournaments, with five players celebrating their first KPGA Tour victories: Choi Chan, Song Min-hyuk, Oh Seung-taek, Moon Dong-hyun, and Jeong Han-mil. Notably, Moon Dong-hyun made history by winning the 69th KPGA Championship with A-ONE CC at just 20 years and 2 months old, becoming the youngest champion in the tournament's history.
Record-breaking performances by established players also drew attention. Lee Sang-yeop, the winner of the opening tournament, set a new record for the lowest total score in the event's history with a final tally of 23-under-par 265. Yang Ji-ho achieved a 'wire-to-wire' victory at the 68th Korean Open, leading from the first round to the final round, marking the only such win in the first half. Moon Do-yeob secured his second consecutive tour victory at the KPGA Gyeongbuk Open. In the only playoff of the season, Song Min-hyuk triumphed over Jo Min-kyu to lift the trophy at the 45th GS Caltex Maekyung Open.
Throughout the first half, there were five recorded hole-in-ones. The first hole-in-one of the season was made by Kim Yeon-seop on the fourth hole during the second round of the opening tournament. At the 2026 Woori Financial Championship, both Park Jun-hong and Hwang Jung-gon achieved hole-in-ones, while An Ji-min recorded his first hole-in-one in an official tournament at the KPGA Founders Cup. Lastly, Lee Sang-hee continued the trend by making a hole-in-one at the Hana Bank Invitational for the second consecutive year. The record for the most hole-in-ones in a single season is 20, set in 2017.
The youngest player to compete in the first half was amateur Cheon Ji-yul, who participated in the 2026 Woori Financial Championship at the age of 14 years, 9 months, and 6 days. The oldest competitor was Park No-seok, who played in the 69th KPGA Championship at 59 years, 4 months, and 26 days old.
The longest course in the KPGA Tour's history was the Gunsan CC Tournament Course at the KPGA Gunsan CC Open, measuring 7,640 yards. The tournament with the highest cut-off score was the KPGA Founders Cup (3-over-par 147; 61 players advanced), while the lowest cut-off score was at the opening tournament, the 21st DB Insurance Promi Open (2-under-par 142; 62 players advanced).
After a fiercely contested first half, the KPGA Tour will take a brief break before resuming its schedule on August 20 with the Dong-A Membership Group Open at Solago CC in Taean, Chungnam.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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