Korea Holds Shinhan Korea Open Championship, First PGA Event in Asia
- Shinhan Bank plays title sponsor of the championship

Shinhan Korea Open Championship, the first PGA event in Korea and Asia, wrapped up a one-week run at the Jungmun Golf Course in Jeju Island on Nov. 28. Korea's playing host of the PGA tour championship turned out to be a success, demonstrating the nation's prowess in holding such extravagant events, industry experts say.
Despite geographical location, most of the golf championship went relatively smooth in a clear, sunny weather, except for the second round, hit by storms.
Aaron Obserholser scored a total of 4-under 284 to capture the PGA championship ahead of Kevin Na of South Korea and Miguel Angel. But the championship did not bring good luck to big shot players as six-time PGA major winner Nick Faldo of England ranked 17th with a 10-over 298 ahead of Choi Kyoung-ju, who carded a 11-over 299.
Major U.S. media outlets, including USA Network, NBC, gave a prominent coverage of the Shinhan Korea Open Championship. USA Network and NBC broadcast the PGA championship to 140 countries via satellite. In particular, the broadcasts sometimes carried the footages of 15 Korea major tourist attractions, including Bulguk Temple, Jongmyo Shrine, Changdeok Palace, Jeju woman divers and tangerines as well as the Korean economy, providing a good opportunity to publicize Korea. NBC aired a recorded program covering the four rounds of the PGA championship from three hours from 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 28, the last day of Thanksgiving Day season.
Ji Il-hyun, executive vice president for overseas marketing at Korea National Tourism Organization (KNTO), said ahead of the launch of the championship, "There were few chances for publicizing Korea's image and tourist attractions, and the footages on Korea's tourist attractions were expected to appeal to audiences all over the country." KNTO is one of the sponsors of the championship along with B.H. Team, Inc.
Unlike the CJ Nine Bridges Classic Samsusng World Championship, an LGPA tour event, also held in Jeju Island in late last October, no PGA events have been held in Korea, except Shinhan Open Korea Championship, due to such issues as golf courses and sponsorship.
KNTO officials said Shinhan Open Korea Championship demonstrated Korea's ability to play host PGA golf championships. The Jungmun Golf Course is 7,454 yards, longer than the average length of U.S. PGA tour courses, and it also has faster green conditions enough suitable for world-class golfers to show off their prowess.
Korea Broadcasting System (KBS), the local broadcaster of the championship, mobilized 100 personnel to televise live the four-day competition, showing off Korea's prowess in broadcasting the golf championship to the world. nw