The primary difference between the LPGA Tour and the PGA Tour is the gender that represents the same sport, that is golf. The difference can be seen even in multiple instances at the professional level. Be it the viewership or the popularity of the professional. Even the prize pot has a huge differentiation if compared.

In 2024, 34 players earned over $1 million in the LPGA Tour, while on the other hand, 137 golfers made over $1 million in the PGA Tour, as per the data shared by Perfect Putt. Now to give an in-depth insight on the difference, a former LPGA professional has voiced out about an incident. Michelle Wie West, a five-time LPGA Tour winner, explained that constant injuries and motherhood forced her retirement.

Even the discussion got stretched a step further at the Quiet Please podcast, where she shared firsthand experience of the LPGA vs PGA Tour disparity. When both LPGA professionals, Reid and West, discuss their start of friendship. West started to laugh and said that she got a memory revival from the 2011 Solheim Cup. She said, “I just remember it is all coming back now as unlike the PGA Tour we have to pack our own stuff.”

Agreeingly, Reid also nodded and followed her story. Continuing to discuss packing, she revealed that the golfers received huge boxes to pack their belongings. Further, she explained the scene where, due to procrastination, she ended up packing in the last moments. Even pointed out that, the team US got a pack of Knives, while the team Europe got a Xbox. In a hurry, she dumped all her stuff in the back and shared how it became a terrible mistake.

The 35-year-old further shared, about the delay in receiving the package, “Because we are not the PGA tour.” She added further, “Our boxes came like two months after arriving from Ireland. I remember opening this box in like hot Florida and had moldy rain gear, knives sticking out of the box.” The disparity of the league left the panel, sympathizing with her for the incident. The disparity between the leagues remains visible, even two decades after the event.

However, now the LPGA Tour professional and the team are working together to market the league better than per the ex-commissioner.

LPGA Tour on a pathway to ameliorate future

For Stay Lewis and most of the golf world, the top players hold the responsibility to improve the golf league. As Lewis said during the Chevron Championship, “I think Nelly does have a responsibility… It’s saying yes. Continuing to play great golf, though, is number 1. That’s what helps out tour the most… She also, I would say, to do as much extra stuff as you can for us.” Well, Nelly Korda has been doing the best for the league with her great performance, as she recorded 7 victories similar to Scottie Scheffler in 2024. Even promotes the league through her social media.

However, Mollie Marcoux, former commissioner of the LPGA Tour, has shared the roadmap and plans for reducing the burden on Korda alone. During an interview with NBC Golf, she said, “I mean, we talk about that a lot in our player meetings and the players are amazing. I am so impressed with what they do and how they handle themselves on and off the golf course.” Further, emphasized that this is a team effort that needs to be aligned with partners, staff, and leaders.

With the commitment of everyone, be it ex-professionals like Paige Spiranac or the current global rank toppers, the growth of the league can be seen. But will the league end the disparity according to you? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.