Seoul: An Byeong-hun has officially left the PGA Tour to assume the role of captain for a rebranded LIV Golf team, which now features three other players born in South Korea. An will lead the Korean Golf Club, formerly known as Iron Heads Golf Club, as announced by LIV Golf on Wednesday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, An will be joined by new team members Song Young-han and Kim Min-kyu, alongside returning player Danny Lee, a Korean-born New Zealander. Song and Kim previously participated in LIV Golf as temporary injury replacements. An, who has been active on the PGA Tour since the 2016-2017 season, takes over the captaincy from Korean American veteran Kevin Na, who exited LIV Golf following speculations of dissatisfaction.
An Byeong-hun, son of Olympic table tennis medalists Ahn Jae-hyung and Jiao Zhimin, made history as the youngest winner of the U.S. Amateur in 2009. Turning professional two years later, An became the first Asian victor of the BMW PGA Championship in 2015 and received the Rookie of the Year honor that season on the European Tour. Over his PGA Tour career, An accumulated over $21 million in earnings, the highest for an active player without a win.
An has represented South Korea on international stages, competing in the Presidents Cup in 2019 and 2024 and participating in the Olympics in 2016 and 2021. "Joining LIV Golf is a defining move for my future," An stated, expressing his vision to grow his career as the captain of Korean Golf Club and contribute to the evolving sport.
LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil emphasized the tour's commitment to the Korean market, highlighting An's role in expanding the game's reach and representing his country. O'Neil noted that Korea is recognized as a passionate market for golf, producing top-tier talent, with An exemplifying the qualities that have built this reputation.
Since its inception in 2022, LIV Golf, funded by Saudi Arabia, has attracted notable talent from the PGA Tour. It features a format with individual and team standings, where each team consists of a captain and three members. Last year, the predecessor team Iron Heads finished last among 13 teams, with Jang Yu-bin, the first South Korean national in LIV Golf, struggling to secure his standing.
LIV Golf held its inaugural South Korean tournament in May 2025 at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea in Incheon. Although initial reports suggested a return to South Korea in late May 2026, the tour's official schedule does not currently list a South Korean event for that period.