Analysis on the Trend in the Prize Money and Performance Factor of Tour Pro Golf Players (KLPGA centering on 2008-2017)

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the trend of the prize money and the performance factors, based on the data of 1,000 pro golf players provided by KLPGA (Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association) for the past 10 years from 2008 to 2017. First, in terms of the prize money, it increased a lot if we compare the data from 2008 and from 2017. However, it is still disproportionally favorable to the top players and is extremely disadvantageous to the middle-low players. Therefore, it is necessary to considerately care middle-low players. Second, in terms of performance factors, the players’ skill has been improved steadily based on all of the factors considered: the scoring average, average putting, the birdie average, par save, par break, and recovery for the past 10 years from 2008 to 2017. Despite the fact that both players’ performance and income have increased, it is prominent that the inequality between the players in terms of prize money becomes severe, which should be mitigated by external systematic support to maintain the current level of world-class players of Korea.