Lydia Ko Close to Claiming LPGA Tour All-Time Career Earnings Record with Lotte Championship Victory

New Zealand-born golfer Lydia Ko is closing in on the all-time career prize money record on the LPGA Tour, a spot held by Annika Sorenstam of Sweden since 2001.

According to the golf specialized media outlet Golf Digest today (October 2, Korea time), Ko, who ranks second on the all-time career money list, can claim the top spot in career earnings if she finishes tied for second or better at the LPGA Tour Lotte Championship, which opened in Hawaii, USA.

Sorenstam currently holds the all-time career earnings record, having accumulated 72 wins on the LPGA Tour and earning $22,583,693 (approx. 30.7 billion won) in official prize money.

Ko trails Sorenstam by $223,228, but depending on her performance in this week's tournament, she could surpass that mark.

The total purse for the Lotte Championship is $3 million, with the tournament winner receiving $450,000, the runner-up taking home $282,976, and the third-place finisher earning $205,279.

Even if Ko fails to surpass Sorenstam this week, she has a high likelihood of moving to the top of the career earnings list during this season.

Another player in contention to reach the number one spot in career prize money is Nelly Korda of the United States.

Korda, who is third on the all-time money list, trails Sorenstam by $253,921.

However, Golf Digest reported that Korda will not be competing in the Lotte Championship or the four upcoming tournaments held in Asia.

(Photo: Getty Images)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.