Korean women golfers have launched a powerful climb in LPGA career earnings rankings after strong performances in the season's first two tournaments.
The LPGA Tour has completed only two events this season. However, Korean players placed five in the top 10 at the season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions and six in the top 10 at the Honda LPGA Thailand.
Kim Sei-young entered the career earnings top 10 this week. She tied for 10th at the Honda LPGA Thailand, earning $33,338. This pushed her from 11th to 10th place with $15,525,906 in career earnings. Lexi Thompson of the United States dropped to 11th with $15,498,227.
Choi Hye-jin, who holds the record for highest career earnings without a victory, tied for eighth at the Honda LPGA Thailand. She earned $42,989, moving up one spot to 70th with $6,222,565. Christina Kim of the United States fell to 71st with $6,190,831.
Ryu Hae-ran recorded consecutive top-10 finishes this season, earning $78,530 across two tournaments. She rose one spot to 79th with $5,821,600. Lee Mi-hyang tied for 10th at the Honda LPGA Thailand and climbed to 83rd with $5,737,530.
Lee So-mi, who finished tied for ninth at the opener and solo fourth at the Honda LPGA Thailand, earned $138,943 from two events. She jumped six spots from 205th to 199th with $2,400,483.
Kim Hyo-joo finished solo third at the Honda LPGA Thailand and maintained her 25th-place ranking with $11,464,530. She narrowed the gap with 24th-ranked Feng Shanshan of China, who has $11,981,364.
Honda LPGA Thailand champion Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand remained seventh with $17,704,399. She continues the fastest prize money accumulation in LPGA history. Thitikul trails sixth-ranked Park In-bee ($18,262,344) by $557,945.