Richest Golfers 2015
Golf has always been counted among the highest paying sports in the world, so much so, that the common idea associated with this sport is that it is forte of only the rich and elite. However, it has been observed, particularly in the past couple of decades, that people from different financial backgrounds are participating in this game. Irrespective of the economic standard of the golfers, the sport is still among the highest paying ones. Golfing legends such as Tiger Woods makes his money in millions, something that is quite a feat even for the sportsmen of other genres. Players competing in the PGA or European tours gain as much fame as they earn wealth from winnings, as well as from their endorsements. Some of the top companies hire these golfers to be the face of the brands. So let us consider the Top 10 Richest Golfers 2015.
Top 10 Richest Golfers 2015
1. Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods is an American professional golfer who participates in the PGA Tours and European Tours. Till now in his active golf career, he won a total of 79 PGA Tour titles and 40 European Tour titles. He achieved the title of Masters Tournament in 1997, 2001, 2002 and 2005. Tiger Woods became the champion of the PGA in 1999, 2000, 2006 and 2007. He also became the winner of the U.S. Open in 2000, 2002 and 2008, and won the Open Championship in 2000, 2005 and 2006. With a cumulative total income of $83,091,508 last season, he reached the 1st place in this year’s money list. He earned a total of $71,000,000 off-course from his endorsements and $12,091,508 on-course from his winnings. In the 2012-13 season, Tiger Woods earned a total of $86,124,386 with $9,124,386 on-course income and $77,000,000 off-course income.
2. Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson is an American professional golfer who participates in the PGA Tours and European Tours. Till now in his active golf career, he won a total of 42 PGA Tour titles and 9 European Tour titles. He achieved the title of Masters Tournament in 2004, 2006 and 2010. Phil Mickelson became the champion of the PGA in 2005. He also became the winner of the U.S. Open in 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2009 and 2013 won the Open Championship in 2013. With a cumulative total income of $52,009,156 last season, he reached the 2nd place in this year’s money list. He earned a total of $45,000,000 off-course from his endorsements and $7,009,156 on-course from his winnings. In the 2012-13 season, Phil Mickelson earned a total of $45,335,267, with $5,335,267 as on-course income and $40,000,000 as off-course income.
3. Arnold Palmer
Arnold Palmer is an American professional golfer who participates in the PGA Tours and European Tours. Till now in his active golf career, he won a total of 62 PGA Tour titles and 2 European Tour titles. He achieved the title of Masters Tournament in 1958, 1960, 1962 and 1964. Arnold Palmer became the runners up of the PGA Championships in 1964, 1968 and 1970. He also became the winner of the U.S. Open in 1960 won the Open Championship in 1961 and 1962. With a cumulative total income of $40,000,000 last season, he reached the 3rd place in this year’s money list. He earned a total of $40,000,000 off-course with his endorsements. In the 2012-13 season, Arnold Palmer earned a total of $36,040,000 with $40,000 as on-course income and $36,000,000 as off-course income.
4. Jack Nicklaus
Jack Nicklaus is an American professional golfer who participates in the PGA Tours and European Tours. Till now in his active golf career, he won a total of 73 PGA Tour titles and 10 Champions Tour titles. He achieved the title of Masters Tournament in 1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975 and 1986. Jack Nicklaus became the champion of the PGA in 1963, 1971, 1973, 1975 and 1980. He also became the winner of the U.S. Open in 1962, 1967, 1972 and 1980 won the Open Championship in 1966, 1970 and 1978. With a cumulative total income of $26,009,625 last season, he reached the 4th place in this year’s money list. He earned a total of $26,000,000 off-course from his endorsements and $9,625 on-course as his winnings. In the 2012-13 season, Jack Nicklaus earned a total of $28,047,000, with $47,000 as on-course income and $28,000,000 as off-course income.
5. Henrik Stenson
Henrik Stenson is a Swedish professional golfer who participates in the PGA Tours and European Tours. Till now in his active golf career, he won a total of 4 PGA Tour titles and 8 European Tour titles. He reached the T14 Position of the Masters Tournament in 2014. Henrik Stenson became the second runner-up in the PGA Championships in 2013 and 2014. He also became the U.S. Open T14 in 2014 and became runners up in the Open Championship in 2013. With a cumulative total income of $21,444,670 last season, he achieved the 5th place in this year’s money list. He earned a total of $2,850,000 off-course through his endorsements and $18,594,670 on-course from his winnings.
6. Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy is a Northern Irish professional golfer who participates in the PGA Tours and European Tours. Till now in his active golf career, he won a total of 9 PGA Tour titles and 9 European Tour titles. He reached the T8 position of the Masters Tournament in 2014. Rory McIlroy became the champion of the PGA in 2012 and 2014. He also became the winner of the U.S. Open in 2011 won the Open Championship in 2014. With a cumulative total income of $20,608,789 last season, he reached the 6th place in this year’s money list. He earned a total of $18,000,000 off-course from his endorsements and $2,608,789 on-course from his winnings. In the 2012-13 season, Rory McIlroy earned a total of $22,582,782, with $15,582,782 as on-course income and $7,000,000 as off-course income.
7. Gary Player
Gary Player is a South African professional golfer who participates in the PGA Tours and European Tours. Till now in his active golf career, he won a total of 24 PGA Tour tiles and 73 Sunshine Tour titles. He achieved the title of Masters Tournament in 1961, 1974 and 1978. Gary Player became the champion of the PGA in 1962 and 1972. He also became the winner of the U.S. Open in 1965, and won the Open Championship in 1959, 1968 and 1974. With a cumulative total income of $16,009,625 last season, he reached the 7th place in this year’s money list. He earned a total of $16,000,000 off-course through his endorsements and $9,625 on-course from his winnings. In the 2012-13 season, Gary Player earned a total of $14,012,000, with $12,000 as on-course income and $14,000,000 as off-course income.
8. Adam Scott
Adam Scott is an Australian professional golfer who participates in the PGA Tours and European Tours. Till now in his active golf career, he won a total of 11 PGA Tour titles and 9 European Tour titles. He reached the first position of the Masters Tournament in 2013. Adam Scott became the T3 in PGA Championships in 2006. He also became the U.S. Open T9 in 2014 and became runners up in the Open Championship in 2012. With a cumulative total income of $15,648,068 last season, he achieved the 8th place in this year’s money list. He earned a total of $7,600,000 off-course through his endorsements and $8,048,068 on-course through his winnings. In the 2012-13 season, Adam Scott earned a total of $8,800,286, with $3,800,286 as on-course income and $5,000,000 as off-course income.
9. Ernie Els
Ernie Els is a South African professional golfer who participates in the PGA Tours and European Tours. Till now in his active golf career, he won a total of 19 PGA Tour titles and 28 European Tour titles. He achieved the runners up position of the Masters Tournament in 2000 and 2004. Ernie Els became the T3 of the PGA in 1995 and 2007. He also became the winner of the U.S. Open in 1994 and 1997, and earned the Open Championship in 2002 and 2012. With a cumulative total income of $14,689,536 last season, he achieved the 9th place in this year’s money list. He earned a total of $12,500,000 as off-course through his endorsements and $2,189,536 on-course through his winnings. In the 2012-13 season, Ernie Els earned a total of $18,610,625, with $4,610,625 as on-course income and $14,000,000 as off-course income.
10. Greg Norman
Greg Norman is an Australian professional golfer who participates in the PGA Tours and European Tours. Till now in his active golf career, he won a total of 20 PGA Tour titles and 14 European Tour titles. He reached the runner-up position of the Masters Tournament in 1986, 1987 and 1996. Greg Norman became the T2 of the PGA in 1986 and 1993. He also became the runner-up of the U.S. Open in 1984 and 1995, and won the Open Championship in 1986 and 1993. With a cumulative total income of $14,000,000 last season, he reached the 10th place in this year’s money list. He earned a total of $14,000,000 off-course through his endorsements. In the 2012-13 season, Greg Norman earned a total of $17,078,710 with $78,710 as on-course income and $17,000,000 as off-course income.
Apart from these golf players, there are still other golfers who can also be mentioned while discussing the earning player of 2015 in golf. For instance, Sergio Garcia earned a total of $11,911,237 in the last season, including $3,411,237 as on-course income and $8,500,000 as off-course income. On the other hand, Justin Rose earned a total of $11,753,672, inclusive of $6,253,672 as winning money and $5,500,000 from endorsements.