The LPGA's BMW Championship in South Korea could be a slog by the weekend. As Typhoon Champi turns toward Jeju Island, the forecast at what's billed as the Pebble Beach of South Korea looks particularly wet.
The LPGA's official forecast calls for an 80 percent chance of showers Saturday and a 70 percent chance of scattered thunderstorms Sunday with wind gusts up to 20 mph. According to an SBS News report, the model predictions vary in terms of how close Champi, a Category 5 typhoon, will come to South Korea. It's the 30th typhoon of the season.
Pine Beach Golf Links sits on the southern most tip of South Korea in Haenam. During Wednesday's practice rounds, players had a chance to test the 20 mph winds. Jeju Island sits directory south of this
week's LPGA stop.
"I am also from Jeolla Province, and I have yet to get used to the coastal winds," said world No. 3 Haeran Ryu. "I am in my fourth year on tour. So I have more experience compared to my first year. AIG [Women's British Open] was windy, so I hope I can play better this week."
Ryu is the top-ranked player in the field of 84 that features a $2.35 million purse. The two-time major winner in 2026 is making her first appearance on the LPGA since the FM Championship in late August, though she has made two starts on the KLPGA since then, winning once.
There are 14 players ranked in the top 25 in the field this week, including No. 6 Hyo Joo Kim, No. 7 Lottie Woad and No. 9 Sei Young Kim, the defending champion.
There are 15 players from the KLPGA in the field, highlighted by world No. 15 Minsol Kim, who has five wins on that tour over the past two seasons and four runner-ups this year.
Hyo Joo Kim, a four-time winner worldwide this season, has won twice on the KLPGA this year and is among the favorites.
Beth Ann Nichols is a Golfweek senior writer covering the LPGA and women's golf.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: LPGA's South Korea tournament could be greatly impacted by Typhoon Champi
