Ecuador has minimal LPGA Tour representation, with Daniela Darquea standing as the country’s lone player and trailblazer. Darquea has earned $805,200 in career prize money since becoming the first Ecuadorian to earn an LPGA Tour card in 2017.
Her estimated net worth sits at approximately $1 million when including Epson Tour earnings and modest endorsements.
Quick Answer: Daniela Darquea is Ecuador’s only LPGA Tour player with $805K career earnings and $1M estimated net worth. She made history in 2017 as the first Ecuadorian to earn LPGA membership.
Ecuador LPGA Players: Career Earnings & Net Worth
View complete tournament statistics, prize money breakdown, and career highlights for Ecuador’s LPGA representative below.
| Player | Career Earnings | LPGA Wins | Status | Est. Net Worth |
| Daniela Darquea | $805,200 | 0 | Active | $1M |
Daniela Darquea: Ecuador’s LPGA Pioneer
Daniela Darquea is Ecuador’s highest-earning and only LPGA player with $805,200 in career prize money.
The 30-year-old from Quito earned her LPGA Tour card in 2017 after winning the IOA Championship on the Epson Tour, becoming the first Ecuadorian golfer to achieve LPGA membership. She has made 152 LPGA starts with six top-25 finishes.
Darquea’s estimated net worth of approximately $1 million includes her LPGA earnings plus income from the Epson Tour where she earned over $100,000 during developmental years.
She has limited endorsement deals, relying primarily on tournament prize money. Her best LPGA finish came at the 2019 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship where she tied for 30th.
At 30 years old, Darquea has averaged roughly $100,000 per season across eight years on tour. She played collegiate golf at the University of Miami from 2014-2016, helping the Hurricanes advance to the 2016 NCAA Championship.
Born in Quito, Darquea carries the responsibility of representing her country on the global stage as Ecuador’s first LPGA player.
Why Ecuador Has Limited LPGA Representation
Ecuador produces virtually no LPGA Tour players because golf infrastructure remains severely limited. The country has approximately 20 golf courses serving a population of 18 million people.
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For comparison, South Korea has over 400 courses and produces 12 players in the LPGA all-time top 50.
Golf development in Ecuador focuses on recreational play rather than competitive junior programs. Most Ecuadorian golfers who reach elite levels must leave the country for training opportunities.
Darquea followed this path, attending high school in the United States before playing collegiate golf at Miami.
Women’s golf receives minimal investment compared to more popular sports like soccer. Without robust junior development programs or sponsorship opportunities, few Ecuadorian girls pursue competitive golf.
Financial barriers also prevent talented golfers from pursuing professional careers without family resources or scholarships abroad.
2025 Season Performance
Daniela Darquea earned $38,700 in the 2025 LPGA season across six tournament starts. She made three cuts with her best finish being a tie for 38th at the Mizuho Americas Open, earning $14,430.
Darquea lost full LPGA Tour status after 2024 and competed with conditional membership in 2025, limiting her playing opportunities.
Darquea split her 2025 schedule between the LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour. Her limited LPGA starts reflected conditional status, which grants entry only to select tournaments based on field availability. She also competed in Epson Tour events attempting to regain full LPGA membership.
The average LPGA Tour earnings in 2025 were $701,000, but conditional members like Darquea earn significantly less due to limited starts.
She needs to finish inside the top 150 on the money list or win an Epson Tour event to secure full playing privileges. Ecuador has no other female golfers close to reaching LPGA Tour level.
FAQs
Who is the richest LPGA player from Ecuador?
Daniela Darquea is Ecuador’s only LPGA player with approximately $1 million net worth and $805,200 in career earnings. She became the first Ecuadorian to earn LPGA membership in 2017.
How much did Daniela Darquea earn in 2025?
Daniela Darquea earned $38,700 in the 2025 LPGA season across six starts with conditional membership status.
Has an Ecuadorian player won on the LPGA Tour?
No. No Ecuadorian player has won an LPGA Tour event. Daniela Darquea’s best finish is a tie for 30th at the 2019 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
How many Ecuadorian players compete on the LPGA Tour?
One. Only Daniela Darquea has ever competed on the LPGA Tour. She holds conditional membership status as of 2025.
What is Daniela Darquea’s total career earnings?
Daniela Darquea has earned $805,200 in LPGA career prize money across 152 starts since 2017, plus over $100,000 on the Epson Tour.
Why doesn’t Ecuador produce more LPGA players?
Ecuador has only 20 golf courses for 18 million people with minimal junior development programs. Most talented golfers must leave Ecuador for training opportunities abroad.
