Nelly Korda and Jeeno Thitikul from the LPGA Tour rank among the 15 highest-paid female athletes in the world in 2025.
2025 was a record-breaking year for women’s sports. As the season draws to a close, attention inevitably turns to one figure that fascinates and provokes in equal measure: athlete earnings. One ranking in particular garners widespread attention—the list of the world’s highest-paid female athletes. Compiled by U.S. outlet Sportico, the list is traditionally dominated by stars who shine on hard courts, clay, and grass.
It’s no surprise that tennis continues to lead the way in this ranking. Yet in 2025, two names from a different corner of professional sports once again break through: Nelly Korda and Jeeno Thitikul. As the only representatives from the LPGA Tour, both golfers make it into the top 15—each surpassing the $10 million mark in annual earnings.
Nelly Korda: Big Stage, Big Sponsors
Despite not winning a title on the LPGA Tour in 2025, Nelly Korda remains one of the top earners in professional sports. She posted nine top-10 finishes, but her financial success told a different story. With total earnings of $13.8 million, she ranks seventh among the highest-paid female athletes. The bulk of her income—$11 million—came from endorsements with major brands like Nike, TaylorMade, T-Mobile, and Goldman Sachs. On the course, she earned $2.8 million.
Jeeno Thitikul: Timing Is Everything
Jeeno Thitikul once again proved her impeccable timing. As in 2024, she won the LPGA Tour’s season finale, the CME Group Tour Championship, which boasts a $4 million purse—the richest in women’s golf. That single victory accounted for more than half of her $7.6 million in prize money. Combined with $2.5 million in endorsements, Thitikul totaled $10.1 million in earnings, placing her 15th on the list and solidifying her status as a leading figure in the LPGA’s new generation.
The list clearly illustrates the strong link between tennis and financial success. Coco Gauff tops the ranking, followed closely by Aryna Sabalenka, with ten tennis players making the top 15. Still, the LPGA Tour is gaining visibility in 2025: more prize money, more tournaments, and greater exposure. Having two golfers among the 15