Who Earned the Most... Who Is the Prize Money Queen of Women's Golf?

Sorenstam Maintains No.1 with $22.58 Million Career Earnings
Webb and Kristy Join the '20 Million Dollar Club'
Park Inbi Ranks No.1 Active Player, Ko Jinyoung at 20th
'Number 1' Korda Already Surpasses $11 Million

Prize money is a lifeline for tour players.

Annika Sorenstam has earned the highest career prize money among female golfers, totaling 22.58 million dollars.

They need to earn money to maintain a stable career as players. In men's golf, the 'Golf Emperor' Tiger Woods (USA) is overwhelming. He has won a total of 82 victories on the PGA Tour, earning $120,999,166. Considering the relatively smaller prize money in the past, this is an enormous income. So, which player has earned the most prize money in women's golf? The 'living golf legend' Annika Sorenstam (Sweden) ranks first.

She accumulated 97 professional wins in total. On the LPGA Tour, she secured 72 wins, including 10 majors. She ranks third in all-time wins. Before retiring in 2008, she earned $22,583,693 (approximately 31.4 billion KRW) in prize money. She was the money leader for five consecutive years on the U.S. stage and was crowned the money queen eight times (1995, 1997, 1998, 2001?2005).

The 'Australian legend' Karrie Webb ($20,293,617) and the 'spiritual pillar of America' Cristie Kerr ($20,179,848, USA) are ranked second and third, respectively. Both players have joined the '20 million dollar club.' Webb retired after 41 career wins (7 majors), and Kerr retired after 20 career wins (2 majors).

'Golf Empress' Park In-bee ranks 4th in all-time earnings among active players.

Among active players, 'Golf Empress' Park In-bee is ranked fourth. She holds the highest rank among Korean players. With 21 career wins (7 majors), she has earned $18,262,344. She is a 'career golden slammer,' having won four different major championships and an Olympic gold medal. She left the field after giving birth in April 2023. Currently, she is running for a position on the Paris Olympic Athletes' Committee, so surpassing $20 million in earnings seems unlikely.

'Hyundai family daughter-in-law' Lydia Ko (New Zealand) ranks fifth in career prize money ($17,581,914). She is a star player with 20 career wins, including 2 majors. One more win will make her the youngest inductee into the Hall of Fame. Following Lydia Ko are Lorena Ochoa ($14,863,331, Mexico), Suzann Pettersen ($14,837,578, Sweden), Stacy Lewis ($14,515,067), Lexi Thompson ($14,048,571), and Juli Inkster ($14,018,391, all USA), ranked 5th to 10th.

Korea's 'symbol of consistency' Yang Hee-young is 12th ($13,971,458), Kim Sei-young is 13th ($13,145,739), 'Korean women's golf legend' Park Se-ri is 16th ($12,583,712), and Yoo So-yeon, who retired this year, is 17th ($12,237,173). Among Korean players, Ko Jin-young, who is ranked 5th in the world rankings, holds the highest position at 20th ($12,147,043).

Nelly Korda quickly accumulated wins and has already surpassed a total prize money of 11 million dollars.

The all-time prize money ranking is expected to change soon. World No. 1 Nelly Korda (USA) is a strong contender. She debuted on the regular tour in 2017 and has already won 13 times (including 2 majors) by early this season. Especially this year, she is in her prime, having won five consecutive tournaments recently. Her prize money has already surpassed $11 million ($11,361,489). The LPGA Tour is seeing an increase in the number of tournaments and prize money. The day when Korda reaches the top spot is approaching.