Staggering $22m divide proving golf's biggest shame

An old joke claims the word “golf” is actually an acronym for “gentlemen only, ladies forbidden”.

While there’s no truth to that misconception, it remains blatantly true the professional game treats the two genders vastly differently – at least when it comes to prize money.

The divide has never been more evident than when analysing the winnings of the respective world No.1s over the past few weeks.

Nelly Korda is dominating the LPGA Tour like few before her ever have.

She equalled an LPGA record this week by winning her fifth consecutive event on tour.

Her two-stroke win at the Chevron Championship put her alongside Nancy Lopez (1978) and Annika Sorenstam (2004-05) as the only players to win five straight tournaments.

Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda are treated very differently when it comes to prize money.

Korda, 25, won’t have the chance to break the record, given she’s withdrawn from this week’s JM Eagle LA Championship, citing burnout.

“After the unbelievable week at The Chevron and grinding through the mental and physical challenges of four events in the past five weeks, I am definitely feeling exhausted,” she said.

Meanwhile, over on the men’s PGA Tour, Scottie Scheffler piled another USD$3.6 million into his bulging bank account by taking out the RBC Heritage.

The victory came a week after he won his second Masters jacket, also pocketing $3.6m for that result. His last five starts – including four wins and a tie for second – have earned him a staggering USD$16,253,735.

Korda’s Chevron victory was also a golf major – but her win earned her a third of what Scheffler snaffled at Augusta National.

In Aussie dollars there’s about $22m difference in what both players have earned in their past five starts.

Scottie Scheffler of the United States celebrates with the trophy after winning the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town.

The total prize pool for the Chevron – one of the flagship women’s events – was increased from $5.2m in 2023 to $7.9m this year.

But the purses on the top men’s tour are also increasing at a rapid rate, thanks in large to pressure coming from the lucrative LIV Golf league which offers about $30m per event.

Given the Saudi-backed LIV doesn’t yet offer a women’s competition, there’s little threat to the LPGA in terms of player commitment.

A study from Adelphi University in New York last year found the average PGA Tour player earns just over USD$1m a year, while the average on the LPGA Tour is a little over USD$346,000.

And even the cream of the crop is losing out. Korda’s five consecutive wins – which include a major – have earned her $2,400,000 in total.

Tennis has led the way in gender pay parity since the US Open’s radical move in 1973 to give its male and female champions equal prize money.

The four tennis majors now offer the same prize pool to both.

Nelly Korda of the United States lines up a putt at The Chevron Championship.

While critics will argue women’s tennis matches are best of three sets, and men’s are best of five, the same argument can’t be made in golf.

Korda and Scheffler are both asked to play 72 holes across four days for each event on tour to earn their respective dosh.

The difference can be measured in dollars, with one taking home significantly more than the other at the end of each event.

NELLY KORDA’S LAST 5 RESULTS

Figures in USD

Won – The Chevron Championship – $1.2m

Won – T-Mobile Match Play – $300,000

Won – Ford Championship – $337,500

Won – Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship – $300,000

Won – LPGA Drive On Championship – $262,500

Total winnings: $2,400,000 (AUD $3.7m)

SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER’S LAST 5 RESULTS

Won – RBC Heritage – $3.6m

Won – The Masters – $3.6m

Tied 2nd – Texas Houston Open – $553,735

Won – The Players Championship – $4.5m

Won – Arnold Palmer Invitational – $4m

Total winnings: $16,253,735 (AUD $25,164,471)