GolfDifferent Strokes

Wide gap remains in golf between men and women’s prize money

New sponsor for Irish legends; Harrington’s legendary par; Stephen Jaeger going to Augusta

Nelly Korda: won three times in a row but trails Scheffler's winnings considerably. Photograph: Christian Petersen/Getty

Philip Reid
Tue Apr 2 2024 - 06:00

No doubt who the two hottest golfers on the planet are right now, with world number ones Nelly Korda and Scottie Scheffler dominating their respective tours.

Korda, indeed, has the edge in going 1-1-1 in her last three tournaments on the LPGA Tour for a hat-trick of wins; while Scheffler’s run of 1-1-2 in his three most recent tour appearances smacks of a dominance last seen in Tiger Woods’ heyday.

But, despite increased purses on the women’s professional circuit, there remains a wide and stark gap in the gender pay-days.

Korda’s three wins saw her receive cheques for $337,500, $300,000 and $262,500 for a grand total of $900,000.

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Nothing to be sniffed at, for sure, but still far removed from the haul of greenbacks accumulated by Scheffler for his hot streak.

Scheffler banked pay-days of $4 million, $4.5 million and $553,735 for his performances at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, The Players and his runner-up finish in the Houston Open for a cash pile of $9,053,735, some 10 times more than Korda.

OFX to sponsor Irish Legends at Seapoint

International currency transfer company OFX has come on board as the new sponsor of the Irish Legends, which will take place at Seapoint Golf Club in Termonfeckin, Co Louth, on June 19th-22nd when former Ryder Cup player Peter Baker will defend his title.

This year’s tournament – one of the main events on the Legends Tour for players aged 50 and over – will also have an increased prize fund of €400,000, compared to last year’s purse of €300,000.

As well as becoming title sponsor of the Irish legends, the company has also become a partner of the Legends Tour.

Maeve McMahon, president EMEA of OFX, said of the new sponsorship: “This partnership not only allows us to increase our profile in the European market, but also aligns us with a tournament that showcases some of the most exceptional talent in the world of golf.

“As a company, we are committed to providing support and expertise to businesses needing to transfer money globally. We see a strong parallel between the Legends Tour and OFX, not just the longevity of the tour and players, but also with tournaments taking place around the world which seamlessly aligns to our global business vision and reach.”

Belgium's Thomas Detry. Photograph: Joe Scarnici/Getty

Word of Mouth

“Me and my wife, we’ve kind of been working on meditation and things like that, little techniques to devoid my mind spiralling around too much, which is really what I’ve been fighting against” – Belgium’s Thomas Detry on trying to stop his mind racing when in contention. Detry finished in a five-way tie for second behind Stephan Jaeger in the Houston Open as he still chases that breakthrough win on the PGA Tour.

By the Numbers

134

Stephan Jaeger finally won on the PGA Tour – in his 134th event – with a one stroke winning margin over world number one Scottie Scheffler. The 34-year-old German jumped from 71st to 43rd on the updated world rankings and also earned a place in next week’s Masters tournament. “I can’t wait. It’s been obviously a dream of mine for a long time,” said Jaeger of getting into the field for Augusta National.

On this day ... April 2nd, 1967 & 1972

George Archer, a towering figure of a man standing over 6ft 5in and who once worked as a cowboy ranch hand in his youth, had the distinction of winning the Greater Greensboro Open (now known as the Wyndham) on the same day five years apart.

Archer’s first win in the tournament came in 1967 when he outgunned notables Doug Sanders and Arnold Palmer to set a new 72-hole low aggregate with rounds of 67-64-68-68 for a total of 17-under-par 267.

“I just tried to play my own game hole by hole,” said Archer of staying calm under the pressure applied by Sanders and Palmer in the final round.

Then, in 1972, Archer again got his hands on the trophy with rounds of 70-68-66-68 for 272 at Sedgefield Country Club which earned him a playoff spot against Tommy Aaron which he won. Archer earned a pay-day of $25,000 for his first win, and $40,000 for his second triumph in the event.

X-Twitter Twaddle

Scouting trip @TheMasters – Shane Lowry posting evidence of his reconnaissance visit to Augusta National.

Ended up making my par. Use a 5 wood if possible for this as you’re less likely to snag the heel and it takes the shank out of play #paddysgolftips – none other than Pádraig Harrington with another pearl of wisdom, explaining his recovery shot – played on bended knees – from under tree branches in the Houston Open.

After my first Masters victory, I was privileged to sit next to Bobby Jones at the Champions Dinner. He was the ultimate gentleman and probably the greatest orator golf has ever known – Gary Player getting into reminiscent mood ahead of the Masters next week.

Know the Rules

Q

A player’s ball came to rest beside a raised turf area which interferes with their swing. The turf is raised due to an underground pipe which can be seen coming out of the ground a few feet away. The player suggests to another player in his group that he is entitled to free relief under Rule 16.1, which is disputed by the other player. Is he entitled to free relief?

A

The player is not entitled to free relief. This situation is covered in the Rules of Golf (see Clarification Immovable Obstruction/1). Any turf leading to or covering an immovable obstruction is not part of the obstruction.

In the Bag

Nelly Korda – Ford Championship

Driver – TaylorMade Qii10 Max (10 degrees)

3-wood – TaylorMade Stealth 2 (15 degrees)

Hybrid – Ping G425 (26 degrees)

Irons – TaylorMade P770 (5i), TaylorMade P-MC (6-PW)

Wedges – TaylorMade Mg4 (50 and 54 degrees), Titleist Vokey WedgeWorks (58 degrees)

Putter – Logan Olson prototype

Ball – TaylorMade TP5x

Philip Reid

Philip Reid

Philip Reid is Golf Correspondent of The Irish Times

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