The list of the 20 richest golfers in the world reveals a fascinating mix of tournament legends, business-savvy athletes, and modern millionaires who’ve transformed golf into serious wealth. Tiger Woods stands alone as golf’s only billionaire, but dozens of players have built nine-figure fortunes through prize money, endorsements, and smart investments. This article breaks down who’s banking the most, how they earned it, and what’s changed since LIV Golf shook up the financial landscape in 2022.
You’ll discover the top earners from different eras, understand how endorsements often eclipse tournament winnings, and see why some retired players still outrank today’s champions. Whether you’re curious about Tiger’s empire or surprised by Greg Norman’s $400 million fortune, this list covers the money stories behind golf’s biggest names.
Tiger Woods Stands Alone
Tiger Woods isn’t just the richest golfer—he’s the only one who’s crossed into billionaire territory. His net worth hit $1.3 billion in 2025, making him one of the wealthiest athletes in any sport. Here’s what makes this remarkable: his career PGA Tour winnings total $121 million, which represents just 9% of his total wealth. The rest comes from endorsements, business deals, and investments that turned a great golfer into a financial powerhouse.
His Nike partnership alone paid approximately $200-250 million over 27 years before ending in 2024. After that split, Woods launched his Sun Day Red apparel brand and continues working with TaylorMade, Bridgestone, Monster Energy, and Rolex. He’s also built TGR Design (golf course architecture) and co-founded TMRW Sports, which created the tech-focused TGL league. Add in real estate holdings worth $100 million, and you’ve got someone who understood early that golf was just the beginning.
The $400 Million Duo
Greg Norman and Jack Nicklaus both sit at $400 million, but they built their fortunes differently. Norman earned $17.7 million in career PGA Tour prize money—notable for being the first golfer to crack $10 million—but his real wealth came from business. The Great White Shark Enterprises includes golf course design (100+ courses), wine production, and real estate development. His role as LIV Golf CEO from 2021 to 2025 significantly boosted his net worth before stepping down recently.
Jack Nicklaus, meanwhile, holds golf’s ultimate record with 18 major championships that’ll probably never be matched. But his $400 million comes mostly from Nicklaus Design, which has created 425+ golf courses across 45+ countries. Total career earnings from all sources reached $1.15 billion, proving that smart business moves matter more than tournament checks. His endorsements with Rolex, Perry Ellis, and AriZona Beverage Company have lasted decades.
How LIV Golf Changed Everything
When LIV Golf launched in 2022 with Saudi backing, it completely rewired golf’s money system. Phil Mickelson grabbed a $200+ million deal to jump ship, while Dustin Johnson took $125 million. Jon Rahm reportedly secured $300 million guaranteed. These weren’t bonuses on top of winnings—they were guaranteed contracts just for showing up.
The average LIV golfer earned $4.19 million in the 2025 season, significantly more than typical PGA Tour players make. Winners take home $4 million per regular-season event, while last-place finishers still pocket $50,000. Some players lost major sponsorships after joining (Dustin Johnson lost his RBC deal), but the guaranteed money made those losses manageable. Whether you think it’s good for golf or not, LIV definitely made a lot of golfers richer, faster.
The Complete Top 20 Rankings
Here’s the list of the 20 richest golfers in the world with current net worth figures from 2025-2026 data:
- Tiger Woods – $1.3 billion
- Greg Norman – $400 million
- Jack Nicklaus – $400 million
- Phil Mickelson – $300-400 million
- Rory McIlroy – $250 million
- Fred Couples – $120 million
- Jordan Spieth – $120 million
- Scottie Scheffler – $110 million
- Dustin Johnson – $100 million
- Ernie Els – $85 million
- Vijay Singh – $75 million
- Sergio Garcia – $70 million
- Nick Faldo – $60 million
- Ian Poulter – $60 million
- Justin Rose – $40-60 million
- Adam Scott – $50 million
- Davis Love III – $50 million
- David Toms – $35 million
- Zach Johnson – $35 million
- Darren Clarke – $30 million
What’s interesting about this list is how many retired or semi-retired players still rank high. Fred Couples at $120 million benefits from PGA Tour Champions success and his golf design firm. Nick Faldo pulls in $7+ million annually just from his CBS/Golf Channel commentator role.
The New Generation’s Meteoric Rise
Scottie Scheffler shows how fast modern golfers can build wealth. His net worth jumped to $110 million after adding $20 million in 2024 alone. That year, he earned a single-season record of $62.3 million on-course, pushing his career PGA Tour prize money to $99.4 million as of November 2025. Endorsements with Nike, Rolex, and TaylorMade generate another $30 million annually.
Rory McIlroy completed his career Grand Slam with a 2025 Masters win, becoming only the sixth male golfer to achieve this. He’s now the highest-paid golfer by career earnings at $192.7 million and holds a net worth of $250 million. His TaylorMade deal alone is worth $100 million over 10 years, while Nike extended their partnership in 2017. McIlroy represents the modern golf millionaire: someone who earns more off the course ($45 million) than on it ($38 million annually).
Jordan Spieth hit $120 million net worth after winning three majors before age 24. His endorsements with Under Armour, Titleist, Rolex, and AT&T built a portfolio worth tens of millions yearly. What’s notable about the younger generation is they’re hitting eight-figure net worths in their 20s and early 30s, something that took older players entire careers.
Why Endorsements Matter More Than Wins
Tournament winnings grab headlines, but endorsements build fortunes. Tiger Woods proved this formula: $1 billion from sponsors versus $121 million in prize money. Phil Mickelson crossed $1 billion in total career earnings with PGA Tour checks of only $105.8 million. The gap between on-course and off-course income keeps growing.
Justin Rose shows how specific deals can be surprisingly lucrative. His Morgan Stanley hat sponsorship alone pays $5 million annually. That’s just for wearing a logo on his hat—not even a full apparel deal. Rose has earned over $60 million in PGA Tour prize money, but his total net worth reaches $40-60 million partly because of smart partnerships with Mastercard and Titleist.
Equipment deals form the baseline. Nearly every top golfer has contracts with club manufacturers (TaylorMade, Titleist, Callaway), ball companies, and apparel brands. Luxury partnerships add premium income—multiple golfers work with Rolex, while others rep BMW, Mercedes-Benz, or high-end watches. These deals often last years and pay regardless of tournament performance.
Business Ventures That Build Wealth
Golf course design has become the retirement plan for champions. Jack Nicklaus designed 425+ courses generating ongoing revenue. Greg Norman built 100+ layouts worldwide. Ernie Els runs both a design firm and award-winning wine business in South Africa. These ventures create income that doesn’t depend on keeping your swing sharp at age 60.
Real estate investments show up repeatedly on this list of the 20 richest golfers in the world. Vijay Singh owns a 50+ acre Hawaii oceanfront estate he bought for $5.5 million and later listed at $23 million, plus properties in Manhattan and Florida. Dustin Johnson spent $14 million on a Jupiter, Florida mansion in 2021 and owns multiple Palm Beach properties. Tiger Woods’s real estate portfolio alone is valued at $100 million.
Some golfers launched apparel brands. Tiger’s Sun Day Red started after his Nike split in 2024. Others, like Ernie Els, diversified into wine production that’s won international awards. The smartest players on this list understood that golf careers last 20-30 years if you’re lucky, but business ventures can generate income for decades.
What Determines Golf Wealth
Major championships matter enormously. Winners don’t just get bigger checks—they unlock endorsement leverage that lasts careers. Adam Scott’s 2013 Masters win (first Australian to win) justified his $9 million annually in endorsements with Uniqlo, Rolex, and Titleist. Justin Rose’s 2013 US Open and 2016 Olympic gold medal opened doors that don’t exist for players without hardware.
Consistent performance builds steady income. You don’t need to win majors to get rich—Vijay Singh earned $75 million with 34 PGA Tour wins and smart investing. Ian Poulter built $60 million partly from being a Ryder Cup star with memorable performances that boosted his profile. Fred Couples stayed relevant through PGA Tour Champions success.
Timing and adaptability play huge roles. Players who joined LIV Golf early grabbed guaranteed money that changed their financial lives. Those who built businesses while still playing (like Norman with his shark brand) set themselves up better than players who waited until retirement. The richest golfers on this list didn’t just play great golf—they made smart moves off the course.
The Money Gap Between Eras
Prize money has exploded over decades. Jack Nicklaus won 18 majors but earned only $8 million in total tournament prize money. Gary Player’s entire career winnings were $7.5 million. Compare that to 2025, where the Masters winner takes home $4.2 million from one tournament. The Players Championship pays $4.5 million to the winner, and the FedEx Cup playoff bonus hits $25 million.
This list of the 20 richest golfers in the world would look totally different if we only counted tournament earnings. Modern players like Scottie Scheffler have already earned more in prize money ($99.4 million) than legends did in entire careers. But when you factor in endorsements and business ventures, older players who built empires still compete financially with today’s stars. That’s why Jack Nicklaus at $400 million ranks ahead of players currently dominating tournaments.
Professional golf has become one of the wealthiest sports on earth, with the top 20 players holding a combined net worth exceeding $5 billion. Whether they earned it through decades of smart business decisions like Nicklaus, athletic dominance like Tiger, or perfectly timed LIV Golf contracts like Mickelson, these golfers prove the sport pays far better than the trophies suggest.
