South Korean golfers net worth is led by KJ Choi who earned $32.8 million across 25 PGA Tour seasons. The 54-year-old won seven times from 2002 to 2011 building a $32 million fortune.
Sungjae Im sits second with $24 million from consistent top-10 finishes while Tom Kim earned $16.7 million before age 23 showing Korea’s rising generation.
The country’s top golfers combine for roughly $200 million in total wealth dominated by male PGA Tour stars. That is exceptional for a nation of 51 million people.
South Korea produces consistent tour-level talent through systematic junior development programs and accessible public courses charging ₩130,000 to ₩250,000 per round making golf available to middle class families.
Learn more about the South Korea golf players biography and net worth by clicking on their name.
| PGA Tour | DP World/Other | Former/Retired Pros |
| Byeong Hun An | Hanbyeol Kim | K.J. Choi |
| D.H. Lee | Jin Jeong | Lee Jaekyeong |
| Joohyung Kim | Minkyu Kim | Y.E. Yang |
| Kyoung-Hoon Lee | Sanghun Shin | |
| Seung-Yul Noh | Sangmoon Bae | |
| Si Woo Kim | Seonghyeon Kim | |
| Sung Kang | Yoseop Seo | |
| Sungjae Im | Jin Young Ko | |
| Tae Hee Lee | ||
| Bio Kim | ||
| Kim Joo Hyung (Tom Kim) |
Top Richest South Korean Golfers
| Rank | Golfer | Net Worth | Career Earnings | Wins | Active/Retired | Primary Tour |
| 1 | KJ Choi | ~$32M | $32.8M+ | 7 | Active | Champions Tour |
| 2 | Sungjae Im | ~$24M | $24.1M+ | 2 | Active | PGA Tour |
| 3 | Tom Kim | ~$16M | $16.7M+ | 3 | Active | PGA Tour |
| 4 | Si Woo Kim | ~$15M | $24.4M+ | 3 | Active | PGA Tour |
| 5 | YE Yang | ~$12M | $13.9M+ | 1 | Active | PGA Tour |
KJ Choi dominates at $32 million net worth from $32.8 million PGA Tour career earnings. He won seven times including runner-up at 2004 Masters.
His best season was 2006-07 earning $4.6 million with two victories. He now competes on Champions Tour adding to his wealth.
Sungjae Im earned $24.1 million with net worth around $24 million. His 2025 season generated $5.1 million including T3 at The Sentry earning $1.36 million and T5 at Masters worth $798,000.
Tom Kim accumulated $16.7 million before age 23 with three PGA Tour wins. Si Woo Kim earned $24.4 million with estimated net worth of $15 million.
How Much Money Has Sungjae Im Made from Golf?
Im earned $24.1 million total career earnings since turning professional in 2015. His 2025 season through December generated $5.1 million including 12 top-25 finishes.
He won twice on PGA Tour with best season in 2020-21 earning $4.8 million when he won his first title at Honda Classic.
His consistency impresses most. He makes cuts at 71% rate and averages $182,000 per event played. His T3 at 2025 Sentry Tournament paid $1.36 million while his T5 at Masters earned $798,000.
Those two finishes alone generated over $2 million showing how top-5 results at big events transform earnings.
Why Do South Korean Golfers Earn More Than Other Asian Nations?
South Korea has approximately 500 golf courses for 51 million people. Public courses charge ₩130,000 to ₩250,000 per round making golf accessible.
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Jade Palace Golf Club charges ₩130,000 to ₩180,000 weekdays while Bear Creek costs ₩140,000 to ₩190,000. Those rates equal $99 to $145 USD allowing middle class families regular access.
Junior development programs receive massive government and corporate support. The Korean PGA runs systematic academies identifying talent at age 8.
Companies like CJ Corp and Samsung sponsor elite juniors through high school and college. Compare this to China where private clubs charge $150 to $300 per round eliminating 99% of the population.
The college golf pathway works efficiently. Korean players attend American universities on scholarships then turn professional with polished games.
Im attended Korea National Sport University while Tom Kim trained through junior programs before turning pro at age 18. That systematic development creates consistent PGA Tour talent.
Did YE Yang’s 2009 PGA Championship Change Korean Golf?
YE Yang won the 2009 PGA Championship at Hazeltine defeating Tiger Woods in final round earning $1.35 million. He became the first Asian-born male to win a major championship.
His victory inspired a generation of Korean juniors showing that major championships were achievable.
His career earnings total $13.9 million with estimated net worth around $12 million. His PGA Championship remains his only PGA Tour victory but his breakthrough created belief.
Within 10 years Korea produced multiple PGA Tour winners including Im, Tom Kim, and Si Woo Kim who all cited Yang’s victory as inspiration.
Can You Play Golf Affordably in South Korea?
Yes, South Korea offers accessible golf despite expensive reputation. Public courses charge ₩130,000 to ₩250,000 per round on weekdays. Jade Palace Golf Club in Chuncheon costs ₩130,000 to ₩180,000.
Golden Beach Golf Resort charges ₩140,000 to ₩190,000. Those rates make golf affordable for working families earning ₩4 million monthly average.
Weekend rates increase to ₩200,000 to ₩320,000 at premium facilities but value courses maintain ₩190,000 to ₩250,000 pricing.
Caddies add ₩40,000 to ₩60,000 but walking is allowed at some courses. Municipal courses exist near major cities offering even lower rates for residents.
Junior programs receive corporate sponsorship. CJ Corp sponsors elite academy producing Tom Kim and others. Samsung funds junior clinics nationwide.
That corporate support creates pathways for talented kids from middle class backgrounds to pursue professional careers without requiring wealthy families.
Which South Korean Golfer Has Won the Most Money?
KJ Choi with $32.8 million PGA Tour career earnings leading all Korean males. Among active players Si Woo Kim earned $24.4 million followed by Sungjae Im at $24.1 million.
Tom Kim accumulated $16.7 million before age 23 showing fastest earning pace. Among women Jin Young Ko earned over $20 million dominating LPGA with world number one ranking.
FAQs
Who is the richest South Korean golfer?
KJ Choi at $32 million net worth from $32.8 million PGA Tour career earnings. He won seven times from 2002 to 2011 with best season 2006-07 earning $4.6 million. Among active players Sungjae Im leads at $24 million from consistent PGA Tour performance.
How much has Sungjae Im earned in his career?
Sungjae Im earned $24.1 million total career earnings since turning professional in 2015. His 2025 season generated $5.1 million including T3 at The Sentry worth $1.36 million and T5 at Masters earning $798,000. He won twice on PGA Tour with best year 2020-21 earning $4.8 million.
Has any South Korean golfer won major championship?
Yes, YE Yang won the 2009 PGA Championship at Hazeltine defeating Tiger Woods earning $1.35 million. He became the first Asian-born male to win a major. Among women multiple Koreans won majors including Inbee Park with seven major victories and Jin Young Ko with two.
How many golf courses exist in South Korea?
South Korea has approximately 500 golf courses for 51 million people. Public courses charge ₩130,000 to ₩250,000 per round on weekdays. Jade Palace costs ₩130,000 to ₩180,000 while Bear Creek charges ₩140,000 to ₩190,000 making golf accessible for middle class families.
Can you play golf affordably in South Korea?
Yes, public courses charge ₩130,000 to ₩250,000 per round on weekdays equal to $99 to $190 USD. Jade Palace Golf Club and Golden Beach Golf Resort offer best value. Weekend rates increase to ₩200,000 to ₩320,000 but value courses maintain affordable pricing for working families earning ₩4 million monthly.
