The core of the Lexus Masters (LEXUS MASTERS) event is gallery interaction. That core was faithfully upheld at the 2025 tournament.
The 2025 Lexus Masters (LEXUS MASTERS), which for the first time on the KPGA tour featured the "Amazing Bridge," a "Masters lounge" for player interaction and a "fan village," concluded with news of pro Kim Jae-ho's first career victory.
The Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) tour's 2025 Lexus Masters (LEXUS MASTERS), held Oct. 30 to Nov. 2 at Ferrum Club in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, wrapped up successfully amid the players' passion and the galleries' enthusiastic cheers.
Champion Kim Jae-ho (Woosung Construction) finally claimed his first career victory at the 2025 Lexus Masters in his 210th KPGA tour start since his debut. Kim Jae-ho finished with a total of 2-under 286 and entered a playoff with Lee Yoo-seok (Woosung Construction), Choi Jin-ho (Cowell) and Hwang Jung-gon (Woori Financial Group), securing the win with the only birdie in the first extra hole, marking his first victory since debuting on tour in 2008.
After the victory, 2025 Lexus Masters champion Kim Jae-ho said in an interview, "Thanks to my father encouraging me not to give up and to work harder, I was able to continue my playing career into a later age," and added, "I thank Lexus Korea for giving me the opportunity to win." Kim Jae-ho is the son of Kim Yong-hee, manager of the Lotte Giants futures team.
Along with a winner's prize of 200 million won, Kim Jae-ho received the winner's trophy created in collaboration with artist Kim Hyun-joo, a finalist in the 2025 Lexus Creative Masters. In addition, Ok Tae-hoon (Kumkang Housing), who finished with an even-par total of 288, secured the Genesis Award on the KPGA tour for the 2025 season through this tournament.
The Lexus Masters was established last year to promote domestic golf culture and this year was held at Ferrum Club, one of the capital area's prestigious courses. Notably, last year's inaugural champion and current PGA Tour player Lee Seung-taek (Kyunghee), as well as top domestic players including Park Sang-hyun (Dong-A Pharmaceutical Co.) and Ham Jeong-woo (Hana Financial Group) of Team Lexus, drew strong interest.
This year's tournament, themed "passion and cheers," enhanced the on-site excitement with various programs that allowed galleries to participate and enjoy directly. On the 16th hole, the KPGA tour's first "Amazing Bridge" and "Masters lounge" were set up, offering a special viewing experience where players entered to entrance music they personally chose and communicated with the gallery. In addition, an interactive event where the gallery voted to determine pin positions and a "high-five zone" where players and galleries could clap hands and interact kept the energetic support going.
Also, embodying Lexus's heartfelt hospitality (omotenashi), organizers ran a dedicated lounge where players, families and caddies could rest comfortably, as well as a Lexus owners–only "Lexus lounge." At the Lexus lounge on the 18th hole, visitors could enjoy drinks made directly by a barista from Lexus's multipurpose cultural space Connect To while watching the champion's putt up close.
At the Lexus fan village set up on the turf plaza, visitors were able to experience Lexus's proposed luxury lifestyle in one place through a variety of programs, including exhibition and sale of Lexus collections, golf goods and craft works, and racing simulator experiences.
Throughout the venue, Lexus's flagship electrified lineup L series (LS, LM, LX), as well as premium hybrid SUVs RX and NX, were displayed and attracted the gallery's attention.
Kon'yama Manabu, president of Lexus Korea, said, "I sincerely congratulate Kim Jae-ho on his victory and feel very meaningful that the 2025 Lexus Masters, completed by the passion and cheers of players and galleries, concluded successfully," and added, "Lexus Korea will continue to contribute to the development of domestic golf culture and to provide differentiated brand experiences unique to Lexus to customers who love golf as well as the Lexus brand."
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