BMW LADIES CHAMPIONSHIP

October 21, 2026

Sei Young Kim

Hye-Jin Choi

Ina Yoon

Hye Ran Ryu

Minsol Kim

Kyorim Seo

Pine Beach Golf Links

Press Conference

Q. How does it feel to be back here at the BMW Ladies Championship to defend your title?

KIM SEI YOUNG: It’s already been a year, being here brings back a lot of memories, kind of strange returning as defending Champion.

My family is from the area, and everything is more familiar.

The weather this week isn’t that favorable but it is getting better, still I expect the course to be challenging this week.

But I am happy to be back.

Q. Can you talk about the success of your year?

HYE RAN RYU: 2026 has indeed been a memorable year. This year has been a dream, somebody pinch me.

We have five events left. I could say I want to bag more wins, but I am just happy to be here. Happy with where I am at this year. And I want to enjoy the luxury of being able to -- just enjoy the game.

Q. Tell us about joining Boston Common Golf and the WTGL.

INA YOON: I've really enjoyed watching WTGL over the past two years, and I love what it’s doing to create more opportunities for women golfers. I’m also very grateful to have this opportunity myself.

I’m really looking forward to the new WTGL season. I’ve had some great experiences in Boston, and as a big baseball fan, I’ve even had the chance to catch an MLB game at Fenway Park.

So I’m especially excited to join the Boston team. I’m looking forward to competing well, putting on a great show for the fans, and giving them an exciting and memorable experience.

Q. What will be your strategy on this windy course? How important is course management?

KIM SEI YOUNG: It is a windy course, today winds were at 20 miles per hour. Actually, it is a good thing we get to practice under these conditions today. Definitely a challenge to overcome.

HYE RAN RYU: I am also from Cheolla Province, and I have yet to get used to the coastal winds. I am in my fourth year on tour. So I have more experience compared to my first year. AIG was windy, so I hope I can play better this week.

HYE-JIN CHOI: Last year, the winds really impacted scores. Less windy days, lower scores. So overall wind was a factor.

Today, really strong winds. But I expect very different weather conditions everyday this week. So you just have to take it day by day. I would say you would really have to shoot some buddies when the weather is favorable, and definitely be more cautious when it gets windy.

INA YOON: Very windy conditions, and rain is in the forecast. A typhoon is said to be in the area, so being patient will pay off.

Q: KLPGA players are joining this event, the first time in five years, how is this significant for young Korean players, what kind of opportunity is this?

KIM SEI YOUNG: It has been five years since KLPGA payers joined us on this event, some of them are there this year we joked that the young players we saw 5 years are all grown up.

This can be a starting point for players to dream big, dream of joining the LPGA Tour.

HYE RAN RYU: I played in the BMW Ladies Championship held in Busan, I have very good and fond memories. I think the experience of playing at an LPGA event then, helped me adjust to the tour when I joined. I think this experience of playing here can help young players if they go to Q Series or other events.

MINSOL KIM(KLPGA): I played at the 2022 event as an amateur. It was my first time to compete with world class players and I learned a lot then. Looking back it was an opportunity to grow. I think playing in an LPGA event in Korea can help others grow and advance their game and careers.

Q: Choi, I would imagine you really want to win, thoughts going in? And Sei Young, thoughts on possibility of second win in hometown?

HYE-JIN CHOI: Last week, maintained lead until last round, very disappointing. But there will be many opportunities in the future, so I am actually hopeful. If I remain patient my time will come. Last time at this event I played well so my journey towards a win continues.

KIM SEI YOUNG: Last year, the crowd here really boosted by game. This year will do best as an expression of my gratitude.

Q: (To KLGPA players) If you win, will you go straight to LPGA. What will it take to win?

MINSOL KIM: If I win, I plan to go straight to LPGA next year. Not sure what it will take to win, but I think as a KLPGA player I am relatively free from pressure so I can take that and play aggressively,rookie style. I will do my best.

KYORIM SEO: If I win, I hope to join the Tour, because it is my ultimate goal. I think short game is going to be important and having confidence as well.

If I win I hope to go to LPGA tour, short game confidence

Q. Any advice for young Korean players working to join LPGA? Looking back, what are some things you wished you were more prepared for?

HYE-JIN CHOI: I think the LPGA Tour is more physically demanding. In Korea, you play but then you go home. But with the Tour you travel longer distances, etc. So I would for prepare for that,

INA YOON: I am still a bit green. I am in second year of the LPGA Tour.

But I would say language. I feel that if I had the language skills it would be easier to communicate and convey exactly what I mean. Many people help me on Tour but I feel if I had better command of language, it would help express myself more accurately.

Q. What do you think is the key hole or winning hole on this golf course?

KIM SEI YOUNG: No. 15 is the signature hole, its beautiful and difficult. To the right there is a hazard, to the left its sort of like a cliff, the course plays long, and it is quite windy because to the right you also have the ocean. As mentioned earlier, difficult hole so much so that some players grab their 3-wood. I was able to play well last year because I birdied that hole for two rounds. So I would say Holes 15, 16, 17.