2023 Korea Championship Preview, Picks & Analysis

A COSMOPOLITAN field gathers in Incheon this week for the inaugural Korea Championship, with Europe’s best golfers facing a strong challenge from some of the most gifted home talent.

The likes of Robert MacIntyre, Guido Migliozzi, Rasmus Hojgaard and Jordan Smith know that they need to find some big weeks if they are to have any realistic chance of making it to the Ryder Cup in Italy later this year.

But the man they will probably all have to beat is Poland’s Adrian Meronk, the first man from his country to win on the DP World Tour. Meronk won twice in 2022 and has played some steady golf since the turn of the year. He finished tied 10th at the Abu Dhabi Championship and was tied fourth at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship.

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He has also been playing on the other side of the pond, albeit with mixed results. He was tied 14th at the Honda Classic and 45th at the Genesis Invitational but missed the cut at the Bermuda Championship, Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Masters. He also played in the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play for the first time.

As many who have gone before Meronk will attest, dividing your time between the DP World Tour and PGA Tour is no easy task. But he is a hugely talented golfer who possesses a wonderful temperament.

This tournament could be a nightmare for the Sky commentary team - there are 11 players in the field whose surname is Kim and a further 11 whose surname is Lee!

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Three-time DP World Tour winner Wang Jeunghun and the KPGA’s 2022 Genesis Point Award winner Kim Yeongsu are returning home for the tournament.

Kim enjoyed a career-best season in 2022, winning his first two KPGA Korean Tour titles at the Genesis Championship and the season-ending LG Signature Players Championship. The Korea Championship will represent a welcome return to Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea in Incheon, where he claimed his first victory.

As a result of winning the Genesis Championship, Kim will also gain entry into the Genesis Scottish Open.

Unsurprisingly, the 33-year-old is looking forward to this week. “I am excited to play a DP World Tour event in Korea and to connecting with the Korean fans," he said. "Since the tournament will be held on the same course where I won my first championship, I will return to a place where I have great memories. 

“My goal is to compete for the title and achieve an outstanding result. With many Korean players expected to participate, I am hoping that one of us will take home the Korea Championship trophy.”

For Wang, it will be his first professional event on home soil since 2020. The 27-year-old burst on to the international scene in 2016 when he won the Trophée Hassan II in Morocco and the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open titles to become the youngest player to seal back-to-back DP World Tour titles, aged just 20 years and 251 days.

He was named the 2016 Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year, and quickly followed up that success by winning the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters title to become the third youngest player to win three events after Italy’s Matteo Manassero and the great Seve Ballesteros.

Wang has been on fine form since returning to action this season following a period of military service, recording two top tens, including a tied-third place finish at the Singapore Classic in February.

The Seoul-native, who represented his country at the 2016 Olympic Games, said: “It’s exciting to have the chance to play at home alongside players from Korea and around the world, especially in my first season back on the DP World Tour.

“I’ve had a positive start to the season and I’m enjoying my golf. I feel like I’m playing well and I can’t wait to tee it up at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club in April.”

Form Guide

Kim Yeongsu has to fancy his chances after two wins on home soil last year - and he knows what it takes to win on this course. On his return from the PGA Tour, Adrian Meronk will hope to pick up where he lefty off last season.

The Course

The Jack Nicklaus Golf Club is a par 72 measuring 7,450 yards. There is plenty of water but the fairways are wide and the greens are generous so expect to see some pretty low scoring.

To Win:

Adrian Meronk. Big hitter

Each Way:

Robert MacIntyre. Fabulous putter

Each Way:

Guido Migliozzi. Infuriatingly inconsistent 

Five to Follow:

Adrian Meronk. Fantastic temperament

Robert MacIntyre. Could do with a decent run of form

Guido Migliozzi. When he is good he is very good. But when he’s bad...

Kim Yeongsu. Best chance of a home winner

Rasmus Hojgaard. Always a threat