The organizing committee of the Chevron Championship, the season's first major, announced it will raise the total prize purse to $9 million this year from $8 million last year, a $1 million increase. The winner's share will also rise to $1.35 million from $1.2 million.
With the boosted winner's prize, whoever lifts the trophy will automatically top the LPGA Tour's season money list. Hannah Green of Australia, currently No. 1 on the money list, has earned $1,214,178, less than the winner's prize at Chevron. Even Hong Jung-min, the only Korea LPGA (KLPGA) Tour player in the field, could take the top spot in earnings with a victory.
Korean women golfers, who have claimed three wins in eight tournaments this season, are dominating the prize money race. Six of the top 15 on the money list are Koreans. The United States accounts for just half that number with three, followed by Japan with two.
The top earner among Korean players is Kim Hyo-joo, a two-time winner this season, with $1,002,997. She is closing in on No. 2 Nelly Korda of the United States ($1,118,718), who has posted one win and three runner-up finishes in four starts this year.
Kim Sei-young and Lim Jin-hee, who tied for second at the JM Eagle LA Championship, sit at No. 5 ($652,897) and No. 6 ($643,138) on the money list. Lee Mi-hyang, with one victory this season, ranks No. 8 ($480,372), while Yoo Hae-ran, who leads the tour with five top-10 finishes, also makes the top 10 in earnings at No. 10 ($467,975).
Yoon Ina, who continues to post career-best results with a tie for sixth at the Ford Championship and a solo fourth at the JM Eagle LA Championship, is looking to break into the top 10 in prize money from her current No. 14 position ($400,257).
Of course, to claim as large a slice of the Chevron purse as possible, players must first clear the cut. The LPGA money rankings are set to shake up once again.
