Golf
Genesis Championship Preview
The Genesis Championship has entered its ninth iteration, with only its second appearance on the DP World Tour.
The first eight editions, including last year’s DP World Tour event won by Byeung-hun An in extra time, were conducted at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea, but this year’s tournament will be conducted at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club.
The event, which starts on Thursday 23 October, is the final counting event of the regular season, with the top 110 players on the Race to Dubai Rankings at the conclusion of the tournament securing their DP World Tour cards for 2026, while the top 70 will qualify for the DP World Tour Play-Offs. The DP World Tour playoffs consist of just two events – the Abu Dhabi Championship in a fortnight’s time and the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai the following week. Let’s analyze the preview.
Hideki Matsuyama
Hideki Matsuyama is expected to be a dominant force in the Genesis Championship, where he will be making his return after a six-year absence. The 33-year-old Japanese golfer, who made history in 2021 by becoming the first Japanese player to win a major at the Masters, has been in decent form this year and will be a strong contender for the title in Korea. With a relatively weak field, Matsuyama will have a distinct advantage in his pursuit of the championship. The 11-time PGA Tour winner is seeking a positive conclusion to the year, having already secured one title with his victory at the Sentry earlier this year.
Byeung-hun An
Byeung-hun An will participate in the event as the defending champion, having secured the coveted title last year. He successfully outperformed his Presidents Cup teammate Tom Kim in the playoffs. This achievement also marked his first DP World Tour title in nearly a decade. The victory was an intensely emotional experience for the golfer. Now, the situation has reversed, and the 33-year-old South Korean International will no longer be viewed as an underdog in this event. All eyes will be on him to deliver and prove that last year’s win was not an isolated incident. His motivation lies in the home support to propel him to victory. Nevertheless, he has proven to be a highly skilled competitor, and the opportunity to defend his title is within his grasp.
Sungjae Im
Sungjae Im is recognized for his consistent performance on the PGA Tour calendar. The 27-year-old has established a notable record of top 10 finishes in the events he competes in. His highlight this year was finishing fifth at the Masters Tournament. He returns to the Genesis Championship with a solid track record. In 2019, he secured a victory in his only appearance at the event. His return is expected to intensify the competition and create a more compelling atmosphere. With his experience leading from the front, his competitors will be motivated to prevent him from winning convincingly.
Si Woo Kim
Sim Woo Kim has reestablished his form in the latest tournaments, marking a significant improvement from his struggles with consistency in the second half of last year. His renewed passion for golf has made him a compelling player to watch. The prospect of competing before a home crowd will undoubtedly provide a substantial morale boost. His evident determination suggests that securing a title is a realistic possibility, and his current form will likely play to his advantage.
Prize Money
The event has a pool of $4 million in total with the overall winner going to pocket $680 000.
Past winners
2024 – An Byeong-hun
2023 – Park Sang Hyun
2022 – Kim Yeong Su
2021 – Lee Jae Kyeong
2020- Kim Tae Hoon