Minkyu Kim says the excitement is outweighing the pressure ahead of two of the biggest weeks of his season, starting with the KOLON Korea Open, which commences tomorrow, before LIV Golf Korea next week.

The Korean [main picture] will attempt to join only three players to have won his national open more than twice when he tees off at Woo Jeong Hill Country Club, before being part of the Korean GC team he joined this year in what is his first season on the LIV Golf League.

The 25 year old won the KOLON Korea Open in 2022 and 2024, on both occasions at Woo Jeong Hills, and should he be successful he will join Koreans Changsang Han and Daesub Kim plus American Orville Moody in the hattrick club. Han is the event’s most successful player with seven titles, while the others have triumphed on three occasions.

“The KOLON Korea Open is a very special tournament for me,” said Minkyu Kim.

“Just having the opportunity to go for a third win is already a big honour. It’s not an easy challenge, but I feel more excitement than pressure. If I stay focused, every one shot at a time, I believe good things can happen.”

Minkyu Kim and Younghan Song finished first and second two years ago to earn places in The Open.

His success in the tournament is one of the reasons why he was selected to play on the LIV Golf League, and it’s an opportunity he feels has led to a lot of progression.

He said: “I’ve really enjoyed my experience on LIV Golf so far. Competing alongside world-class players naturally pushes me to raise my own standards, and I’ve learned a lot both on and off the course. I also really enjoy our team KGC environment — it brings a different kind of energy to the game.

“It has definitely improved my game. Playing against so many different styles of players has helped me look at my own game more objectively. I’ve improved in terms of course management and mental strength, and overall I feel like I’m becoming a more complete player.”

The KOLON Korea Open is returning to Woo Jeong Hills for the first time since his victory here two years ago, as the course underwent renovations last year.

“Woo Jeong Hills is a course where strategy is very important,” said the Korean.

“It’s not about being overly aggressive — it’s about smart course management. Around the greens can be quite challenging, so short game is key, and I think patience is one of the most important factors to playing well here.”

This week marks only his second appearance of the season on the Asian Tour, after he finished tied for sixth in the GS Caltex Maekyung Open last month.

Minkyu Kim after winning in 2024.

He’s appeared in seven events on the LIV Golf League in 2026, with his result in Mexico, where he was eqaul 22^nd.

He said: “My game feels pretty stable at the moment. My ball-striking and putting have both been consistent, and I think that’s been a positive. I’m continuing to work on the small details to keep improving and build even more confidence.”

He has been paired with two other former champions in the first two rounds: American Seungsu Han and Junseok Lee from Korea.

American Bubba Watson and Abraham Ancer from Mexico are two of the event’s marquee players.

It is the 68^th staging on Korea’s most prestigious event, which is once again part of the Open Qualifying Series. The winner on Sunday will earn a place in this summer’s Open championship at Royal Birkdale.