Often, riches are accompanied by success on the field of play whether it’s football, tennis, baseball or boxing ring. Golf as a one-person sport is widely regarded as a rich-man game, not necessarily because it’s the highest money-spinning sport, but because of the notion that only the wealthy have the luxury of playing on a golf course.
Several legends have graced the beautiful game and amassed a ridiculous amount of wealth for themselves throughout their illustrious career. Some of them are still active while others are retired. This article looks to answer the question, “who is the highest-paid golfer of all time”?
After intense research, we have come up with the list of our top 10 highest paid golf players of all time.
5. Justin Rose — $68.6 million
Justin Rose is a South African born British golfer. He made his debut into professional golfing at the age of 17 when he participated in the Walker Cup as a first-timer at the age of seventeen. Justin enjoyed little success in his early stage as a pro golfer. Despite being a part of the European Tour in 1999 edition, he failed to retain his pro tour card for the 2000 edition. His rise into stardom began in the year 2002 when he started to record success consistently. Some of his achievements as a professional golfer include 6 European Tour events. 5 PGA Tour events, and one for each of PGA Tour of Australia, the Japanese Golf Tour and the Sunshine Tour. In the 2017 Master Tournament event, Justin placed fifth. He made a little progress when he came third at the 2010 PGA Championship. In 2013, he recorded his U.S Open win. All these wins earned Justin Rose an impressive $68.6 million in prize money with lots of millions acquired through endorsement deals.
4. Jim Furyk — $70.7 million
At $70.7 million generated from prize money alone, Jim Furyk is our 4th highest-paid golfer of all time. The American professional golfer started his career in the early ’90s after learning the trade from his father, a state champion during his high school days. Just like his father, Jim also represented the University of Arizona and helped the institution to secure their only NCCA title ever. In 1993, the Chester-born golfer won the NIKE Mississippi Gulf Coast Classic and joined the PGA Tour a year later. His major championship came in 2003 when he secured the U.S Open breaking the record for the lowest 72-hole scored. Jim’s highest-earning in a year from prize money was the $5 million he acquired in 2003. Presently, Jim Furyk has a total of $70.7 from money earned from playing pro golf.
3. Vijay Singh — $75.9 million
Born in Lautoka, Fiji Islands, in 1963, Vijay is one of the most successful golfers in history. Overall, he has three major titles, ranking number one for 8 months from 2004 to 2005. Inducted as Hall of Famer in 2006, the legendary Vijay has amassed $75.9 million from prize money alone. 2003, 2004 and 2008 PGA Tour saw him won the most tour money. Like Jim Furyk, Vijay’s father had lots of positive impact on his son’s passion for golf. Despite winning the 1984 Malaysian PGA Championship, Vijay was initially suspended for scorecard fixing before it was turned to a permanent ban from the Asian PGA Tour. He has won multiple tours across several countries including Europe, and Africa. Vijay participated in the 1988 Nigerian Open, a competition he ended up winning. He sat at the top of Official World Golf Rankings for an incredible 32 weeks spanning across 2004 to 2005.
2. Phil Mickelson — $94.6 million
One of the most talented golfers on our list. Phil Mickelson earned $94.6M throughout his illustrious career. Popularly known as “Lefty,” the World Golf of Hall of Fame recipient has been ranked 2nd in the Official World Golf Ranking for multiple times. Phil started his professional career in 1992, recording 44 wins and 5 majors under his sleeve. The only dent at Phil’s career is the U.S Open. He failed to win while finishing as a runner-up for a record six times. He’s not new to Top 10 ranking from the Official Golf Ranking as he has over 700 weeks already.
1. Tiger Woods — $122.5 million
The undisputed #1 when it comes to the greatest golf player of all time. It’s no coincidence that he remains the highest-paid pro golfer. Tiger Woods redefined golf as a sport and helped to inflate the earning of all golfers in his era. Despite his negative publicity, Wood’s achievements on golf course remain intact with 80 PGA Tour wins and another 14 majors. He has won several championships and trophies to cement his place as the hugest paid golfer of all time with a record of $122.5 million earned from prize money.
Conclusion
Everyone thinks of golf as a rich man’s sport, not considering the fact that he can make a man rich. Others may break into the top 5 Highest Paid golfer in years to come, but the foundation laid by these athletes will remain untouched for many years.
What’s your opinion? Do you think we have left someone out? We would like to hear from you!