Leading players from the Korea Professional Golfers‘ Association (KPGA) Tour are preparing for a new challenge after wrapping up the 2026 season.
With the season-ending KPGA Tour Championship concluding Sunday, the tour's top-ranked players will head straight into qualifying school, or Q-School, seeking a place on the US PGA Tour.
Players ranked in the top five in the Genesis points standings after the Golfzon Open in September earned eligibility for Q-School.
Shin Sang-hun, who finished atop the Genesis points standings after the season-ending Tour Championship, will advance directly to the final stage of Q-School, scheduled for Dec. 10-13 at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
The competition features four rounds of stroke play, with only the top five finishers earning PGA Tour cards for the 2027 season.
Players finishing sixth through 45th will earn status on the Korn Ferry Tour, the PGA Tour‘s developmental circuit.
Shin, who plans to leave for the United States later this month, said he would prepare thoroughly, including familiarizing himself with American course conditions.
"I will prepare thoroughly, including checking the grass conditions in the United States," Shin said. "During the remaining time, I'll work on my distance control from within 100 meters and correct the occasional big misses with my driver."
Jeong Chan-min, Jang Yu-bin and Choi Chan, who finished between second and fifth in the Genesis points standings, must first navigate the second stage of qualifying, scheduled for Dec. 1-4.
The second stage will take place across five courses, with Jeong choosing Valencia Country Club in Valencia, California.
Jeong, who averaged 307 yards off the tee this season, said he selected the venue because it favors long hitters.
"Valencia Country Club is a course that suits long hitters," Jeong said. "I plan to leave for the United States on Nov. 24."
Jang, who missed a chance to finish first in the Genesis points standings after being disqualified from the season-ending Tour Championship for an incorrectly completed scorecard, is preparing to depart for the United States later this month.
He selected Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Palm Coast, Florida, as his second-stage qualifying venue.
Several players who finished outside the top five in the Genesis standings also advanced to the second stage after clearing the first round of qualifying.
Oh Seung-taek, Moon Dong-hyun and Kim Bio, all of whom competed on the KPGA Tour this season, are preparing for the second stage.
Ahn Hae-cheon, who turned professional in July, and former amateur national team member Ahn Seong-hyeon will also attempt to qualify for the PGA Tour.
(This article was produced with the assistance of AI. — Ed.)
