How much does it really take to fuel women’s golf in Asia? The BMW Ladies Championship might have the answer.

This year, the purse climbed to an impressive $2.3 million. This is a $100,000 jump from last year. In fact, it is more than just prize money. It is a signal of a commitment. The LPGA wants to show that its desire to serve Korean fans is not just talk.

But before anyone could swing a club at the tournament, Haenam’s Pine Beach Golf Links had its own say. Heavy rain soaked the course, forcing officials to push back the opening round by an hour. A slow start, maybe, but it set the stage for something electric.

When play finally began, the tension flipped into excitement. South Korea’s Sei Young Kim caught fire, tying the tournament record with a 10-under 62. Eight birdies. One eagle. And a roar from the crowd that said everything about what this event means here.

At week’s end, the champion will pocket $345,000. This is the standard 15 percent payout on the LPGA Tour. But the real prize? A message that women’s golf in Asia is not waiting for recognition. This is clear in the increased figure this year.

The sum is $15,000 more than Hannah Green pocketed when she won in 2024. BMW Korea is committed to raising the purse to $2.6 million by 2029, cementing this event as a cornerstone of Korean women’s golf.

The tournament features a limited field of 78 players competing in 72-hole stroke play with no cut. Every single player earns prize money, making it an attractive stop on the tour. Even the 78th-place finisher takes home $4,152. The field includes defending champion Hannah Green, 2023 winner Minjee Lee, and 2021 champion Jin Young Ko. But beyond the prize money, the winner receives 500 Race to the CME Globe points.

Those points prove critical for qualifying for the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship. The Championship will see the top 60 players compete for a $4 million first-place prize. The champion also gets a two-year LPGA Tour exemption and berths in major tournaments.

Complete Prize Money Breakdown:

How to watch the BMW Ladies Championship in the US?

US golf fans can catch all the action on Golf Channel. The channel broadcasts 16 hours of live tournament coverage across all four rounds. The network provides post-round analysis on “Golf Central” as well. Additionally, fans can stream the action too.

Streaming options include the NBC Sports App, NBCSports.com, Peacock, and YouTube TV. All platforms require cable authentication or subscription. The LPGA’s official YouTube channel also offers free live streaming for international viewers.

The tournament takes place in Korea Standard Time, creating late-night viewing windows for American audiences. Coverage airs from 11:00 PM to 3:00 AM EST. Friday’s third round features extended coverage with two additional hours of broadcast time.

The BMW Ladies Championship has increased its purse by $300,000 since its debut in 2019. It now ranks as the third-largest event on the LPGA’s Asian swing, trailing only the Maybank Championship and Blue Bay LPGA. With the 2025 LPGA Tour offering a record $133.1 million across 33 tournaments, this event represents the tour’s 20th-largest purse.

Who do you think will take home the $345,000 winner’s check this weekend?