‘Not Just About Money’: Jessica Korda Digs Up What Women’s Golf Direly Needed Amid LPGA’s Monumental Changes

If you’re asked why players compete, the immediate answer would be for position and money, right? Well, yes, that matters, but it’s not the whole story. For years, the conversation surrounding women’s golf was often about money—how little female players earned compared to their male counterparts. But as prize money continues to rise, Jessica Korda is quick to remind us that for women in the game, the issue was never just about the paycheck.

During her first appearance on the Smylie Show, Korda reflected on how much the game has changed since she joined the LPGA in 2011. Back then, she was playing just 15 events, making around $50,000, and finishing 90th on the points list. And now, the scene has completely changed. Purses have jumped by more than 90% since 2021, and the top 100 players saw their average earnings top $1 million in 2024—up from $570,000 in 2021. The CME Group Tour Championship’s purse alone increased by $4 million this year.

You see, the game has indeed come a long way. However, for Korda, it’s not just about the cash. “It’s about the respect,” she said. “It’s not necessarily just about the money; it’s really about the respect because we do play golf four days. It’s the same kind of as the men, basically; you know, we do the same work, the same job, but the respect was just different.”