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LIV Golf's Korean players fired up for May homecoming

Published: 21 Apr. 2026, 13:16 Updated: 21 Apr. 2026, 16:19

From left: Kim Min-kyu , Song Young-han, An Byeong-hun and Danny Lee pose for a promotional shot in this photo provided by Korean Golf Club in LIV Golf on Jan. 23. [YONHAP]

A quartet of Korean-born players in LIV Golf said Tuesday they are fired up for a homecoming in May, determined to give home fans a memorable showing as the tour returns here for its second appearance.

Former PGA Tour veteran An Byeong-hun captains the newly branded Korean Golf Club, which also features Korean-born Kiwi Danny Lee and homegrown players Kim Min-kyu and Song Young-han.

Lee is the only carryover from the team formerly called Iron Heads Golf Club. In a concerted effort to better appeal to the Korean market, LIV Golf poached An from the PGA Tour and signed Kim and Song, veterans of the Korean and Japanese tours, respectively. Korean Golf Club also adopted a new logo and roundel that leans into Korean culture.

Backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), LIV Golf will return to Korea for the second consecutive year from May 28 to 31 at LIV Golf Korea at Asiad Country Club in Busan.

“Obviously, our priority is great golf. We would like to show fans what we're capable of through exciting, interesting golf. That's what we're here for,” An said. “We want to grow. We want to grow the Korean Golf Club in Korea. We have a lot of fans out there supporting us, and hopefully, we can make this tournament as big as we can.”

Song and Kim echoed An's sentiment, saying nothing will serve home fans better than a strong tournament.

Lee, who played at the LIV Golf Korea tournament in Incheon last May, said he expects increased interest in LIV Golf this time around.

A LIV Golf sign is seen at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea in Incheon before the final round of the LIV Golf Korea tournament on May 4, 2025. [YONHAP]

“We have a new Korean captain, who will bring a lot of passion to all of the Korean golf fans,” Lee said. “I heard that the golf course is going to be very different than last year's LIV Golf Korea event in Jack Nicklaus Golf Club [in Incheon]. I think it's going to be a different style of golf that [people] will watch, and hopefully, our team can follow through and make something special out of it.”

All four players can certainly use a jolt to their season.

LIV Golf tracks both individual and team standings. And through the Mexico tournament on the weekend, the Korean Golf Club ranked last among 13 teams with 18.75 points. Individually, An is the top performer for the Korean Golf Club at 34th with one top 10 finish. Lee, Song and Kim have not yet had a top 10 showing this season.

Asiad Country Club previously hosted the BMW Ladies Championship on the LPGA Tour in 2019 and 2021, as well as the golf tournament during the 2002 Asian Games.

LIV Golf announced in January it had reached a multiyear agreement with the Busan venue.

The tournament will be played amid reports that the PIF will withdraw its investment in LIV Golf after this season.

Yonhap