Nelly Korda has branded the growth of the women’s game over the last decade as “crazy” with 2023 marking another year of increased prize purses.
Korda turned professional in 2016 and has since gone on to win eight times on the LPGA including the Women’s PGA Championship in 2021.
These victories have helped her win more than $7 million in on-course earnings, a figure which is only set for further increase as more investment into women’s golf arrives.
This year, players on the LPGA will be awarded more than $100 million in prize money – a figure which is more than double what was paid out a decade ago.
The LET has also seen a significant financial boost with the purse of last month’s Aramco Saudi Ladies International increasing from $1 million to $5 million, matching the men’s prize fund.
“My sister (Jessica) and I were actually talking about it,” said Korda. “Her first year on tour was 2011, and if you actually look at it from just an outside perspective, the amount of growth the LPGA has had from just 2011 to 2023 is amazing.
“I mean, I obviously think COVID has helped the interest in golf. I think that what we are doing with the product that the LPGA has, and the amount of people that are interested in the sport, is continuously growing.
:I think the motto is that it’s not a sprint; it’s a marathon, and when you can continue growing the sport little by little, even when it comes to inspiring a new generation or obviously our purse increases, that’s a plus.
“But seeing the growth just from the time my sister has been on tour to 2023, honestly is crazy to me.”
Korda is playing at this week’s HSBC Women’s World Championship where the prize purse is $1,800,000.
