A stellar ensemble of some of the region’s most promising talents is set to compete in the fifth edition of the Hana Financial Group Championship, which kicks off tomorrow at the prestigious Bear’s Best Cheongna Golf Club in Incheon, South Korea.
Since 2021, Hana Financial Group has championed the growth of Asian golf talent, providing a platform for them to compete against the KLPGA Tour’s best players in the KRW 1.5 billion showpiece.
Ashley Lau of Malaysia. Photo: Epson Tour
Upholding this commitment, they have extended invitations to standouts such as Malaysia’s Ashley Lau, the Philippines’ Bianca Pagdanganan, Singapore’s Shannon Tan, Hong Kong’s Tiffany Chan, and Thailand’s Jaravee Boonchant and Eila Galitsky.
Expect these players to pose a strong challenge to major champions like Australia’s Minjee Lee, New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, and Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit. In-form local sensations Lee Ye-won, Park Ji-young, Park Min-ji, and Im Jin-hee, who currently dominate the top four standings of the KLPGA Tour points list, also headline the tournament.
Galitsky, at just 16 years of age, is a promising amateur who skyrocketed to fame after clinching the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific title in March.
That victory in Singapore secured her a spot in this week’s tournament and garnered several other prestigious invitations, notably to three Majors- the Chevron Championship, AIG Women’s Open, and Evian Championship. At the Chevron Championship, Galitsky proved her mettle, finishing a commendable tied-28th.
“I’m very excited about this week because I’ve always wanted to play golf in Korea. I’ve been here for a vacation when I was younger but I’ve never played golf here before. It has been an awesome experience since winning the women’s amateur.
“It has been an eye-opener seeing how the other top golfers play their game. My experience is not there but I think I can compete. I just want to get as much experience as possible and for this week, my goal is to make the cut,” said the Thai teenager.
Jaravee, 24, currently competing on the LPGA Tour, is also one to watch. She aims to make her sponsor, Hana Financial Group, proud in her third consecutive appearance in the tournament.
Jaravee made her first Hana Financial Group Championship appearance as an amateur in 2021, missing the cut. However, she made a strong comeback the following year, finishing a commendable tied sixth.
After turning professional, Jaravee inked a deal with Hana Financial Group last year. She quickly justified her sponsor’s faith by securing a spot in this season’s LPGA Tour through its Q-School. She also made a mark on the Epson Tour, clinching the season-ending Epson Tour Championship.
To date, Jaravee has participated in 21 LPGA Tour events. She currently ranks 94th in the Race to CME Globe points list and is on track for a top-80 finish, aiming to retain her full card for the upcoming season.
“I’m very honoured and excited to be competing in the Hana Financial Group Championship again. Every time you get an opportunity to play in an event of such stature, you know you have the chance to prove yourself against the best and take your game to another level,” said Jaravee.
Bianca Pagdanganan, 25, is another rising professional looking to make her trip to Incheon a memorable one. The former Asian Games bronze medalist currently competes on the LPGA Tour, where she holds a conditional status, and also plays on the Epson Tour.
Pagdanganan left a lasting mark as an LPGA Tour rookie in 2020, securing two top-10 finishes, including a tied-ninth at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship
For Hong Kong China’s Chan, she has stood alone in representing her country on the LPGA Tour, consistently showcasing her mettle as a top-tier golfer since 2018.
The two-time Olympian had, arguably, her most outstanding season on the LPGA Tour last year, delivering two top-10 finishes, including a career-best tied-fourth at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational.
Meanwhile Lau, in her debut year as a professional, sees the Hana Financial Group Championship as an ideal springboard to further success.
While competing on the Epson Tour, Lau faced a challenging outset. However, she has since rebounded impressively, marking two top-five finishes in her last three starts, with a notable solo third at the Wildhorse Ladies Golf Classic.
“This is my first time playing professional golf in Korea and, I’m so excited about competing on such a big stage. I do not want to set too many expectations for myself this week. The goal is to get as much experience as possible and hopefully make the cut with my sister caddying for me this week,” said the Malaysian.
A more seasoned Shannon hopes to shine in her third consecutive appearance at the Hana Financial Group Championship, after missing the cut in her first two attempts.
Just two months ago, high-flying amateur Shannon put Singapore on the map with her historic achievement of becoming the first golfer from the Republic to clinch a title on the China LPGA Tour.
She outshone her more renowned professional competitors to win the Singapore Ladies Masters, an event sanctioned by the CLPGA. Now, she’s undoubtedly eager to put her abilities to the test on the KLPGA Tour.
Ranked 60th on the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Shannon is a key member of Texas Tech University’s golf team, which competes in the NCAA Division 1 competition in the United States.
