SK Telecom Open, which has established itself as a stage for the practice of passion, warmth, sharing, inclusion, and connection that shone despite bad weather

May 20, 2025

SK Telecom Open, which has established itself as a stage for the practice of passion, warmth, sharing, inclusion, and connection that shone despite bad weather
Bae Yong-joon and Choi Kyung-ju (right), who participated as mentors in the talent sharing happiness round on the 12th, pose with bracelets on.



Bad weather and tight schedules did not cool down the players' passion and sharing temperatures.

The Korea Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Tour 'SK Telecom Open 2025' encountered a thick fog, but it ended warmly by directing another drama with the enthusiasm of the participants.

Despite the tight schedule of 54 holes for two days, the players continued their fierce competition for the major title, with the first two days canceled due to bad weather such as thick fog and heavy rain.




Eom Jae-woong (35) won the SK Telecom Open's 28th championship in his 17th year as a professional player amid a two-day 54-hole performance. He won the championship after an extended match with Korean-Canadian Taehoon Lee (35) and became the main character of the tournament's prize money of 260 million won along with three career wins.

All the participants who practiced sharing by showing their concentration to the end despite bad weather were winners.

Sharing was practiced in a serious manner in line with the purpose of SK Telecom's various ESG programs, which set the stage for realizing the social values of 'sharing, inclusion, and connection'. Through this competition, SK Telecom realized sustainable social values through various social contribution programs and sports, including donation and mentoring, youth support, and art connection for the disabled.
SK Telecom Open, which has established itself as a stage for the practice of passion, warmth, sharing, inclusion, and connection that shone despite bad weather
Players wearing black ribbons in memory of the late professional Park Byung-joo in the final round on the 18th (Lee Hyung-joon, below Kim Bi-oh)
In the 'Talented Sharing Happiness Round' held on the 12th, a heartbreaking scene unfolded.

Jang Yoo-bin, Jung Chan-min and Bae Yong-joon, who participated as a promising player in the past and grew into the best golfer in Korea, returned as a mentor with Korean golf legend Choi Kyung-ju and had a meaningful time to benefit from sharing to juniors. In addition to providing technical guidance for juniors, he also provided sincere advice and support to realize a virtuous cycle of sharing.

On the 14th, SK Telecom held a special charity event 'SK Telecom Charity Open 2025 sponsored by American Express' that has been going on for four years. Popular stars such as Choi Kyung-ju, Jang Yoo-bin, Lee Kyung-kyu, Seo Kyung-seok, Lee Dae-ho, Park Yong-taek, Kim Tae-kyun, Choi Na-yeon, Kim Ha-neul, and Lee Bo-mi, and developmental disability golfer Lee Seung-min and Kim Sun-young competed to donate. A total of 50 million won in donations raised through the event will be used to operate SK Telecom Adaptive Open.

Twenty-eight young people preparing for self-reliance in Jeju participated as operating personnel for the competition. SK Telecom has been continuing its program for five years so that they can naturally permeate the sports industry and society. In particular, this year, defending champion Choi Kyung-ju met young people preparing for self-reliance and conducted special mentoring. Choi Kyung-ju said, `Gladness and genuine behavior should be the standard of life," he said, offering warm advice and a message.
SK Telecom Open, which has established itself as a stage for the practice of passion, warmth, sharing, inclusion, and connection that shone despite bad weather
Eom Jae-woong, the winner of the trophy at the awards ceremony on the 18th, is wearing a bracelet while weaving it on his wrist.
In addition to ESG programs that have established themselves as a beautiful tradition of SK Telecom's opening, this year, it also introduced a new 'Yeo Da Bracelet' in collaboration with intellectually disabled writers.

Social venture 'Shall we walk together?The meaning of 'Connection' was embodied by putting a picture drawn by artist Kim Eung-sun, an intellectually disabled person, on 'Yu-da-bracelet' produced through collaboration with '. The bracelet was provided to all participants and officials, symbolically conveying the meaning of the contest with the socially underprivileged. Some players wore the bracelets even during the game, taking the lead in promoting the meaning and purpose.

The winner, Um Jae-woong, also participated in the competition wearing a 'bundle bracelet' throughout the competition, and completed the 'happiness companion' story by winning a valuable championship in a year and seven months.
SK Telecom Open, which has established itself as a stage for the practice of passion, warmth, sharing, inclusion, and connection that shone despite bad weather
In the final round on the 18th, Lee Hyung-joon is playing with a black ribbon on his hat to commemorate the late professional Park Byung-joo.
Um Jae-woong wore it and played because the meaning of 'walk together' in 'weave bracelet' provided by SK Telecom was really good. It didn't interfere with the play at all, but rather the bracelet seems to have brought good luck," he said with a big smile.

Meanwhile, black ribbons were worn on the caps of the players on the 18th, when the final round took place. It was meant to commemorate the late professional Park Byung-joo, who passed away on the 16th. First, at the suggestion of Choi Kyung-ju, who saw Kim Bi-oh playing with a black ribbon, SK Telecom prepared a memorial ribbon before the start of the final round so that the player and caddy could share their condolences together

An SK Telecom official said, "The SK Telecom Open is a symbolic stage that best shows the value of 'happiness accompanying' beyond just sports events. We will continue to practice ESG for a more sustainable future and connect with society through the medium of golf."I promised.

Photo provided = SK Telecom



This article was translated by Naver AI translator.