Hello, Golf fans! If you love following the Golf and admire world-class, Jin Young Ko is a name you’ll recognize instantly. Jin Young Ko is one of the most successful and consistent golfers on the LPGA Tour, with multiple majors, more than a dozen LPGA wins, and career prize money well into eight figures as of 2026. She turned professional as a teenager in South Korea and has since built a global profile through elite performances, big purses, and strong endorsement deals.
Jin Young Ko’s Biography
| Information | Details |
| Full Name | Ko Jin-young (고진영) / Jin Young Ko |
| Nickname | None known |
| Date of Birth | July 7, 1995 |
| Age | 30 years old |
| Birthplace | Seoul, South Korea |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Height | 5’7″ (169 cm) |
| University | Sungkyunkwan University, School of Sports Science |
| Turned Professional | 2013 (age 18) |
| Net Worth | $5.8-6 million |
| Annual Salary | Approximately $1.3-1.7 million |
| Spouse | Single |
| Relationship Status | N/A |
| Instagram Handle | @jinyoungko_official |
Early Career
Jin Young Ko picked up her golf clubs at the age of seven, inspired by watching her idol Se Ri Pak win the U.S. Women’s Open. Her parents, particularly her father Ko Sung-tae (a former boxer) and mother Kim Mi-kyung, encouraged her athletic pursuits.
Her grandfather, Ik Joo Ko, played a pivotal role in her early development and became her closest confidant throughout her career. By her teenage years, Ko had established herself as one of South Korea’s most promising amateur golfers. She turned professional in late 2013 at just eighteen years old, demonstrating exceptional maturity and confidence in her abilities.
Professional Career
After turning professional, Jin Young Ko spent her formative years on the LPGA of Korea Tour, where she proved to be a formidable competitor. Between 2014 and 2017, she accumulated an impressive ten victories on the Korean LPGA circuit, establishing herself as the dominant force in her home country. Her performances were consistently exceptional, showcasing her technical skill and mental fortitude. In 2017, she won the prestigious LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship, earning her official LPGA Tour membership.
This victory marked a turning point in her career, propelling her toward the international stage. Her transition to the LPGA Tour in 2018 began spectacularly when she won the ISPS Handa Australian Women’s Open in her inaugural tournament, becoming only the second player in LPGA history to achieve this feat. This remarkable debut led to her being named the LPGA Rookie of the Year. The following year, 2019, became her breakthrough season.
She won her first two major championships—the ANA Inspiration and the Evian Championship—within a four-month span, claimed four LPGA Tour victories, and finished the year as the leading money winner with earnings of $2,773,894. She also won the Vare Trophy for the lowest scoring average and was named LPGA Player of the Year. This extraordinary year elevated her to the world number one ranking and established her as a force to be reckoned with in professional golf. Despite missing most of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she still managed to win the money title and maintain her world number one ranking. In 2021, she won five tournaments and claimed her second Player of the Year award.
Jin Young Ko’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Jin Young Ko’s estimated net worth stands at approximately $5.8 to $6 million, making her one of the wealthiest female athletes in the world. Her wealth comes from multiple revenue streams including tournament winnings, substantial endorsement deals, and sponsorship agreements. According to recent estimates, her annual income reaches between $1.3 to $1.7 million. By the end of 2025, her official career LPGA earnings exceeded $14.7 million, placing her among the top earners in women’s golf history. This financial success reflects her dominance on the course and her marketability as a global brand ambassador for premium brands across various industries.
Prize Money
| Year | Money Earned | Money List Rank | Notable Achievement |
| 2018 | $1,159,005 | 10th | Rookie of the Year |
| 2019 | $2,773,894 | 1st | Player of the Year, Vare Trophy, 4 wins |
| 2020 | $1,667,925 | 1st | CME Championship winner, 4 tournaments |
| 2021 | $3,502,161 | 1st | Player of the Year, 5 wins, $1.5M CME |
| 2022 | $1,260,471 | 17th | 1 win (World Championship) |
| 2023 | $1,552,244 | 16th | 2 wins (World Championship, Founders Cup) |
| 2024 | $1,774,824 | 13th | Strong season, multiple top-10 finishes |
| 2025 | $1,051,538 | 40th | Ongoing season |
| Career Total | $14,742,062 | 14th All-Time | 15 LPGA wins, 2 majors |
Endorsements
- Adidas – Athletic apparel and footwear
- LG Electronics – Major technology sponsor
- Bridgestone – Golf ball equipment sponsor
- Hublot – Luxury watch brand partnership
- Korean Air – National airline of South Korea
- Nikon – Camera and optics sponsor
- Titleist – Golf equipment sponsor
- Solaire Resort & Casino – Major financial sponsorship (approximately $2.5+ million deal)
- Samdasoo – Korean mineral water brand
- A.P.C. GOLF – French contemporary golf wear (2025 partnership)
- LPGA Golfwear – Tour apparel
Career Records
| Record/Achievement | Details | Date/Year |
| Most Weeks at World No. 1 | 163+ weeks (all-time record) | As of 2023 |
| Consecutive Bogey-Free Holes | 114 holes (surpassed Tiger Woods‘ 110) | 2019 |
| Consecutive Rounds in the 60s | 16 rounds (tied Annika Sörenstam‘s record) | 2021 |
| Consecutive Bogey-Free Rounds | 32 rounds | 2022 |
| LPGA Wins | 15 victories | Career total |
| LPGA of Korea Wins | 12 victories | 2014-2021 |
| Major Championships Won | 2 majors (Chevron 2019, Evian 2019) | 2019 |
| Player of the Year Awards | 2 awards | 2019, 2021 |
| Money List Titles | 3 consecutive titles | 2019, 2020, 2021 |
| Vare Trophy | Lowest scoring average | 2019 (69.06) |
| Rookie of the Year | LPGA honors | 2018 |
| Career-High World Ranking | No. 1 | April 1, 2019 |
| Major Championship Top-10s | 12 appearances in majors | Career |
| Playoff Record | 2 wins, 2 losses | 2021-2024 |
FAQs
1. When did Jin Young Ko turn professional and why did she choose golf?
Jin Young Ko turned professional in late 2013 at just eighteen years old. Her passion for golf was inspired by watching Se Ri Pak win the U.S. Women’s Open when she was a child. This moment sparked her determination to pursue golf professionally. Her parents supported her from age seven, when she first took up the sport in Seoul, South Korea.
2. How many major championships has Jin Young Ko won, and when?
Jin Young Ko has won two major championships, both in 2019. She won the ANA Inspiration (now called the Chevron Championship) on April 7, 2019, and the Evian Championship on July 28, 2019. These victories came within four months of each other and marked the beginning of her dominance on the international stage.
3. What is Jin Young Ko’s all-time ranking by prize money on the LPGA Tour?
As of late 2025, Jin Young Ko ranks 14th all-time in career LPGA earnings with $14,742,062 accumulated throughout her professional career. She trails only the greatest earners in women’s golf history, including Annika Sörenstam, Lydia Ko, and several other legendary players.
4. How many consecutive weeks was Jin Young Ko ranked World No. 1?
Jin Young Ko held the World No. 1 ranking for 163+ weeks cumulatively throughout her career, setting a new all-time record in June 2023 when she surpassed Lorena Ochoa’s previous mark of 158 weeks. This achievement underscores her sustained excellence and consistency at the highest level of professional golf.
5. What endorsement deal was largest for Jin Young Ko?
Jin Young Ko’s largest endorsement deal was reportedly with Solaire Resort & Casino, a major financial sponsorship estimated at approximately $2.5 million or more for a two-year period (2020-2022). This Korean-based resort and casino recognized her status as one of the world’s top athletes and provided substantial financial support for her career.
6. Has Jin Young Ko competed in the Olympic Games?
Yes, Jin Young Ko represented South Korea at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021) and the 2024 Paris Olympics. Golf’s inclusion in the Olympic Games provided her with opportunities to represent her nation on one of sports’ largest global stages alongside her LPGA Tour commitments.
7. What was Jin Young Ko’s highest-scoring season by average, and when?
Jin Young Ko’s best scoring average came in 2019 when she averaged 69.06 strokes per round, which earned her the Vare Trophy for the season’s lowest scoring average. This exceptional consistency in scoring reflected her technical proficiency and mental toughness during that remarkable year.
8. Why was Jin Young Ko’s 114 consecutive bogey-free hole streak significant?
Jin Young Ko’s 114 consecutive bogey-free holes in 2019 surpassed Tiger Woods’ PGA Tour record of 110 consecutive bogey-free holes, which he set in 2000. This record demonstrates remarkable consistency and precision in her play, and remains one of the most impressive individual streaks in professional golf history.
9. What college did Jin Young Ko attend, and what did she study?
Jin Young Ko attended Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) in South Korea, where she studied in the School of Sports Science. The university is a prestigious private research institution with campuses in Seoul and Suwon, known for producing notable athletes and professionals across various fields.
10. What is Jin Young Ko’s current height and nationality?
Jin Young Ko stands 5’7″ tall (169 centimeters) and is a South Korean national. She was born on July 7, 1995, in Seoul, South Korea, and currently resides in Frisco, Texas, while maintaining her South Korean citizenship and representing her nation in international competitions.