New Zealand golfer Dame Lydia Ko.
Photo: Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire / PHOTOSPORT
Dame Lydia Ko could become the greatest money-winner in women’s golf with a good result at this week’s US Open in California.
Dame Lydia has official career earnings of US$21.8 million (NZ$36.8m), just US$700,000 behind Swedish legend Annika Sorenstam.
A top three finish at the Riviera Country Club would result in Ko surpassing Sorenstam’s earnings which she achieved during a 16-year career that finished in 2008.
Sorenstam had 72 LPGA Tour victories as well as 28 on other tours. She also won 10 major titles.
Former Swedish professional golfer Annika Sorenstam.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
29-year-old Ko has 31 professional wins including three major victories.
Ko said it was hard to compare herself to someone who played in a different era.
“Winning 70-something times is a completely different level to what I’ve done,” Ko said ahead of the US Open.
“We’re playing in a different generation, you win CME (Tour Championship) and you get $3m.
“It is cool to be compared to that record and hopefully surpass it at some point but it is very hard to compare because we are playing for a lot more money than she did.
“For me the win count is probably a bit more meaningful.”
A view of the 18th hole during the 2022 Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, CA.
Photo: Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire / PHOTOSPORT
The Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles has hosted numerous men’s major tournaments over the 100 years of it’s existence, but this is the first time it has hosted a women’s championship.
With the course the venue for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic golf tournament, Ko was asked if she would be keen to play at the Games and her reply was “no”.
Ko has won all three Olympic medals and said she might like to be involved in the LA tournament in a non-playing capacity.
Ko has four top ten finishes from nine tournament starts so far this year. Her best finish at the US Open was a tie for third in 2016.
The US Open women’s golf tournament starts on Thursday.
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