Lorena Ochoa 3 Times, Lydia Ko and Ko Jin-young 2 Times Each in Top 10
Lydia Ko is posing with the Rolex Player of the Year award after winning the CME Group Tour Championship, the final event of the LPGA Tour season, held on the 20th (local time) at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida, USA. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Taewon] Lydia Ko (New Zealand) captured the 'three rabbits' of the money list title, most wins, and Player of the Year award by winning the CME Group Tour Championship, the final event of the LPGA Tour season, which ended on the 21st. Above all, in professional sports where value is proven by 'money,' she surpassed Minjee Lee (Australia), who had been leading the money list until the previous tournament.
Lydia Ko's earnings this season amounted to $4,364,403 (approximately 5.8 billion KRW), the second-highest single-season earnings record in LPGA Tour history. Although she finished second, Minjee Lee's earnings of $3,809,960 would have been enough to claim the money list title in most other years.
The battle for the money list title is expected to become even fiercer. This is because the total prize money for the LPGA next season will exceed $100 million for the first time.
Let's take a look at the top 10 single-season highest earnings in LPGA Tour history.
#10 Lorena Ochoa (2006), $2,592,872
Lorena Ochoa (Mexico) is the pride of Mexican golf. Even if people don't know golf terms like 'birdie' or 'par,' it is said that no Mexican citizen is unaware of Ochoa. That year, Ochoa won six times and was also named Player of the Year, heralding the birth of a new queen.
#9 Ariya Jutanugarn (2018), $2,743,949
2018 was the year of Ariya Jutanugarn (Thailand). Along with her sister Moriya Jutanugarn, she sparked a Thai wave on the LPGA. That year, Ariya Jutanugarn swept the money list title, Player of the Year, lowest scoring average, CME Globe points, and most wins. Since the CME Globe points award was established in 2014, she was the first player to sweep these four categories: money list leader, Player of the Year, lowest scoring average, and CME Globe points champion.
#8 Lorena Ochoa (2008), $2,763,193
In 2008, Lorena Ochoa was selected as the money list leader and LPGA Tour Player of the Year for the third consecutive year. Ochoa won seven times that season, including the major Kraft Nabisco Championship. She firmly established her position as the 'golf queen' succeeding Annika S?renstam (Sweden).
#7 Ko Jin-young (2019), $2,773,894
Ko Jin-young, who debuted on the LPGA Tour in 2018 and won Rookie of the Year, blossomed in 2019. She showed top-tier player form with four wins, three runner-up finishes, and 12 top-10 finishes. Ultimately, 2019 was one of her best years, as she swept the LPGA Tour Player of the Year, money list title, and lowest scoring average awards, becoming the first Korean to achieve the 'triple crown.'
#6 Lydia Ko (2015), $2,800,802
2015 was the 'year of youngest records.' The protagonist was Lydia Ko. On February 2015, she became the youngest world No. 1 at 17 years, 9 months, and 8 days. In September, she became the youngest major winner at 18 years, 4 months, and 20 days by winning the Evian Championship. In November, she was named the youngest Player of the Year in the 49-year history of the LPGA Tour at that time. Lydia Ko recorded five wins in 2015.
#5 Annika S?renstam (2002), $2,863,904
[Image source=Reuters]
Although she retired from the tour long ago, Annika S?renstam is still aptly called the 'golf queen.' In 2002, S?renstam set over 20 records, including the lowest scoring average (68.7) and highest earnings (approximately $2.8 million). The Player of the Year award was naturally hers. She won 11 times on the LPGA Tour, including one major, and a total of 13 wins overall. With 13 wins in 25 tournaments, her winning percentage exceeded 50%.
#4 Yani Tseng (2011), $2,921,713
Yani Tseng (Taiwan) won seven times on the LPGA Tour in 2011, including two majors. Including European and Taiwan tours, she won a total of 11 times. After overtaking Shin Ji-ae to become world No. 1 early in 2011, she continued her momentum throughout the year with consecutive major wins. Known as a long hitter, she recorded an average drive of 269.2 yards that year, ranking as the longest hitter on tour.
#3 Ko Jin-young (2021), $3,502,161
"Though the beginning was small, the end will be glorious." This biblical verse resonates with Ko Jin-young's 2021. She did not win a single tournament until June and failed to win a medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Finally, she won her first title in July and rapidly raised her pace to achieve five wins that season. She swept Player of the Year, money list title, and most wins, making 2021 her best year. She also became the first Korean player to win the money list title three consecutive years.
#2 Lydia Ko (2022), $4,364,403
The 'former prodigy' Lydia Ko made a spectacular comeback ahead of her upcoming marriage to Jung Joon, son of Hyundai Card Vice Chairman Jung Tae-young, in December. She reclaimed the money list title and Player of the Year for the first time in seven years since 2015 and won the lowest scoring average award for the second consecutive year. She is also close to entering the LPGA Hall of Fame, having accumulated 25 points with an additional 5 points this year; she needs just 2 more points to qualify.
#1 Lorena Ochoa (2007), $4,364,994
[Image source=Reuters]
The holder of the highest single-season earnings record is Lorena Ochoa, with just a $591 difference from second place. In 2007, Ochoa succeeded Annika S?renstam as the world No. 1 in women's golf, a position S?renstam held for eight years. In August, she won the British Open, lifting her first major championship trophy. She played 25 tournaments that year, finishing in the top 10 an impressive 21 times and winning eight times. She also earned Player of the Year, lowest scoring average, and was named 'Female Athlete of the Year' by the Associated Press.
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