KPGA Tour AmazingCre Open Launched to Boost Domestic Golfers Amid Declining Events

The newly launched KPGA Tour AmazingCre Open, carrying a total purse of about $521,000, will be held from Wednesday through Saturday at Flamingo Country Club in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province.

The tournament is sponsored by golf apparel brand AmazingCre and was created to provide more opportunities for domestic male golfers amid a decline in the number of KPGA Tour events and overall prize money.

Although its total purse and winner's prize of about $104,000 are smaller than those of many other events, players have added incentive because Genesis points are at stake. The winner will receive 1,000 points.

That is expected to intensify the battle among the leading contenders for this year's Genesis Grand Prize.

The Genesis Grand Prize winner receives about $149,000 in bonus prize money, a Genesis vehicle, a five-year KPGA Tour exemption, direct entry into the final stage of PGA Tour Q-School and a one-year DP World Tour exemption.

Jang Yu-bin, a two-time winner this season, leads the Genesis points standings with 4,412.70 points.

Jang tied for 31st at the Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Choi Kyung-ju Invitational, allowing his rivals to close the gap despite retaining the No. 1 ranking for a sixth consecutive tournament.

Shin Sang-hoon, who earned his first win of the season at the Golfzon Open last month and tied for eighth at the Choi Kyung-ju Invitational, is second with 3,885.44 points, 527.26 behind Jang.

Song Min-hyuk, who has one victory this year, is third with 3,728.49 points and remains in contention for the lead.