Lydia Ko stands as New Zealand’s wealthiest golfer with $25 million net worth and $21.3 million in career earnings.
The 27-year-old Olympic gold medalist ranks second on the LPGA all-time money list, trailing only Annika Sorenstam. Momoka Kobori represents New Zealand’s second active player, competing primarily on the Ladies European Tour with $274,000 in earnings.
This guide breaks down Ko’s record-breaking wealth, income sources, and how she built one of women’s golf’s largest fortunes.
New Zealand’s LPGA Money Leaders
| Player | Career Earnings | LPGA Wins | World #1 Weeks | Net Worth |
| Lydia Ko | $21.3M | 23 | 125 weeks | $25M |
| Momoka Kobori | $0 LPGA / $274K LET | 0 | N/A | $350K |
Lydia Ko: $25M Fortune Built on Dominance
Lydia Ko ranks second on the LPGA all-time career earnings list with $21.3 million, just $1.3 million behind leader Annika Sorenstam.
Her estimated $25 million net worth includes tournament winnings plus lucrative endorsement deals with PXG, Lululemon, Rolex, and BMW that generate millions annually.
Career highlights driving her wealth:
- 23 LPGA Tour victories including two majors
- Three Olympic medals: gold (2024), silver (2020), bronze (2016)
- LPGA Player of the Year: 2015, 2022
- Youngest world No. 1 at age 17
- Held top ranking for 125 total weeks
Ko’s 2022 season generated $4.36 million, including a then-record $2 million CME Group Tour Championship check. She earned $1.17 million in 2025 despite playing just 16 events, demonstrating consistent earning power.
Her $360,000 win at the 2025 HSBC Women’s World Championship moved her past Karrie Webb into second place all-time.
Olympic Gold Multiplies Endorsement Value
Ko won Olympic gold in Paris 2024, completing her medal collection after silver in Tokyo 2020 and bronze in Rio 2016.
The gold medal elevated her marketability dramatically, leading to renewed endorsement contracts worth an estimated $3-5 million annually.
Major sponsorship partnerships:
- PXG Golf Equipment: Multi-year deal worth $1-2M annually
- Lululemon: Apparel partnership targeting lifestyle market
- Rolex: Premium watch brand endorsement
- BMW: Luxury automotive partnership
- New Zealand Tourism: National ambassador role
Ko’s endorsements exceed her tournament earnings most years, providing financial stability regardless of competitive performance.
Her Olympic success amplified New Zealand’s golf profile internationally, making her invaluable for brands seeking access to Asia-Pacific markets.
How Ko Built Second-Highest Career Earnings
Lydia Ko’s income evolution:
| Period | Earnings | Key Achievements |
| 2012-2016 | $7.4M | 13 wins, became youngest world #1 |
| 2017-2021 | $4.5M | Career slump, 1 win, rebuilding phase |
| 2022-2025 | $9.4M | Resurgence, 9 wins, Olympic gold, majors |
Ko earned over $2 million in four different seasons (2014, 2015, 2016, 2022), placing her among elite consistent earners. Her fastest path to milestones:
- $8 million: 93 events (record pace)
- $10 million: 119 events
- $20 million: 247 events
The 2022-2024 resurgence transformed her career. Three wins in 2024 including the AIG Women’s British Open ($1.1M prize) and Olympic gold repositioned her as women’s golf’s premier player. Ko earned $3.2 million in 2024 alone, finishing third on the money list.
Momoka Kobori: Building Toward LPGA Status
Momoka Kobori competes primarily on the Ladies European Tour with $274,000 in career earnings.
The 25-year-old has zero LPGA earnings but received sponsor exemptions to major championships. She earned her biggest career check of $521,000 at a 2024 LET event, demonstrating breakthrough potential.
Kobori received a Lydia Ko Scholarship from New Zealand Golf in 2017, spending time with Ko to learn professional golf’s demands. She won twice on the WPGA Tour of Australasia and continues pursuing LPGA Tour membership through Q-School or LET Order of Merit graduation.
2025 Performance & Future Earnings
Lydia Ko earned $1.17 million in 2025 across 16 starts, winning the HSBC Women’s World Championship.
She made 14 cuts with five top-10 finishes, maintaining her position as New Zealand’s dominant player. Ko’s career total now sits at $21.3 million with a realistic path to surpassing Sorenstam’s $22.6 million record in 2026.
New Zealand currently has one active LPGA Tour member (Ko) with full status. Kobori competes on developmental circuits while building her game toward LPGA qualification.
Ko’s success inspired New Zealand Golf to invest in junior development programs, though the country’s limited golf infrastructure prevents producing multiple elite professionals.
Ko announced plans to compete through 2030, meaning she could potentially reach $25-30 million in career earnings before retirement. Her consistent $1-3 million annual earnings combined with major championship pursuits position her to break Sorenstam’s all-time record.
FAQs
Who is the richest New Zealand LPGA player?
Lydia Ko with $25 million net worth and $21.3 million in career LPGA earnings. She ranks second all-time on the LPGA money list, just $1.3 million behind Annika Sorenstam.
How much did Lydia Ko earn in 2025?
Lydia Ko earned $1.17 million in 2025 across 16 starts. She won the HSBC Women’s World Championship, earning $360,000 and surpassing Karrie Webb for second place all-time.
What is Lydia Ko’s biggest career paycheck?
Lydia Ko’s biggest paycheck was $2 million for winning the 2022 CME Group Tour Championship. This represented the largest winner’s check in LPGA history at that time.
How many Olympic medals does Lydia Ko have?
Lydia Ko has three Olympic medals: gold (Paris 2024), silver (Tokyo 2020), and bronze (Rio 2016). She’s the only golfer with three Olympic medals.
Has Lydia Ko been world number one?
Yes. Lydia Ko first became world No. 1 in February 2015 at age 17, the youngest ever. She held the ranking for 125 total weeks across multiple periods, including 85 consecutive weeks.
How many New Zealand players compete on the LPGA Tour?
One. Only Lydia Ko holds full LPGA Tour status. Momoka Kobori competes on the Ladies European Tour with occasional LPGA major championship exemptions.
