The latest World’s Highest Paid Athletes list from Forbes is out, and it contains five golfers among the 50 on it, including Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods
The publication tracked income from May 1st 2024 to May 1st 2025, having spoken to industry insiders to determine earnings, with considerations including the PGA Tour Player Impact Program, TGL payments and annual payments for LIV Golfers.
Forbes also took into account earnings away from the course, including sponsorship deals, appearance fees and memorabilia and licensing income, as well as any cash returns from business interests.
Despite increased purses on the PGA Tour, LIV Golf still appears to have the most financial clout, with Jon Rahm the first of the five on the list in 12th and overall earnings of $100m, $90m of which came through on-course payouts.
Rahm, who joined LIV Golf in December 2023, is estimated to have been paid over $500m to sign up to the circuit, and Forbes’ methodology works on the assumption that top-tier LIV Golfers see half of the money upfront with equal annual instalments across four-year contracts.
That, plus his success on the course during the period, which included two wins bagging $4m each, and a bonus $18m for claiming the Individual Championship, ensure he is the highest-paid golfer on the list, albeit with a comparatively small payment of $10m coming away from the course.
Jon Rahm won $18m for his Individual Championship title
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Perhaps unsurprisingly, PGA Tour star and World No.1 Scottie Scheffler is second on the list, coming in at 14th with earnings of $92.5m, comprising $62.5m from his performances and $30m away from the course.
The period saw Scheffler hit the best form of his career, including wins in signature events the Memorial Tournament and Travelers Championship, which earned him $7.6m combined, while he also won the FedEx Cup, handing him a bonus of $25m.
Scottie Scheffler won $25m with the FedEx Cup
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Next on the list is Rory McIlroy in 17th with $87.9m in earnings, of which $42.9m came on the course thanks to a hugely successful 12-month period.
The period included $3.6m for winning the Wells Fargo Championship, while he also claimed victory at the DP World Tour Championship, banking him over…
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