List of the 20 Richest Golfers in the World

Golf is a sport that has been around for centuries, deriving its name from the Dutch term of the fourteenth century, ‘goff' or 'gouff’ and in the sixteenth century became "golf." A game of golf is played on a large course with varying terrain and the object of the game is to strike a small, hard ball with a club into a series of small holes around the course with the fewest strokes possible.

How Much Do Professional Golfers Make?

While people all over the world play golf for fun and for charity events, there are several professional golfers who make their living from the sport.

A professional golfer, on average, earns about $2 million per year as a competitor. He or she also has many opportunities to earn that much or more away from the course too through endorsement deals, corporate events, and other appearances. While on tour, the top professional golfers in the world can earn more than $100 million per year.

Who is the Richest Golfer in the World?

By all accounts, Tiger Woods is the most successful and richest golfer in the world. So far, he has earned over $120 million in prize money throughout his career from the PGA tour alone. He has won the tour 14 times and has garnered deals with corporate sponsors that have earned him more than $1.4 billion throughout his career at this point.

The Top 20 Richest Golfers in History

1. Tiger Woods-$800 million

As discussed above, Tiger Woods is the richest golfer in the world. He is touted as naturally gifted and by all accounts, he is one of the greatest golfers in the world. With a net worth of an amazing amount of $800 million, he is currently the richest golfer in the entire world.

2. Phil Mickelson – $400 Million

At a net worth of about $400 million, American pro-golfer Phil Michelson takes the second-place slot on our list of the 20 richest golfers in the world. He is a lifetime member of the PGA tour and a World Golf Hall of Fame inductee.

3. Jack Nicklaus – $320 Million

Jack Nicklaus, also known as The Golden Bear, also hails from the United States and is in third place on the list with a net worth of $320 million.

4. Greg Norman – $300 Million

Australian golfer Greg Norman has won 88 tournaments to date and has a net worth of around $300 million.

5. Gary Player – $250 Million

Hailing from South Africa, Gary Player is now retired from the game. He is still very influential in the golfing scene and has a net worth of an estimated $250 million.

6. Rory McIlroy – $130 Million

Irish top golfer, Rory McIlroy is a top Irish golfer and as of April of this year, he holds the first-place slot in the Official World of Golf Rankings. He has a net worth of $130 million.

7. Jordan Spieth – $120 Million and Fred Couples – $120 Million (Tie)

American golfers Fred Couples and Jordan Spieth are tied for seventh place on the list of richest golfers in the world. They are both worth an estimated $120 million.

9. Ernie Els – $85 Million

Like Gary Player, Ernie Els hails from South Africa and is nicknamed The Big Easy because of his physique and fluid-like method of swing. He is the 2011 World Golf Hall of Fame Inductee and is worth $85 million.

10. Vijay Singh – $75 Million

Known as one of the best golfers to ever come from Fiji, Vijay Singh is dubbed The Big Fijian and with a net worth of $75 million, he is the tenth richest golfer in the world.

11. Sergio García – $70 Million

One of Spain’s top golfers, Sergio Garcia won the title of European Golfer of the Year in 2017 and has a net worth valued at $70 million.

12. Nick Faldo – $60 Million (Tie) and Ian Poulter – $60 Million (Tie)

English golfers Nick Faldo and Ian Poulter share the twelfth-place spot on the list of richest golfers since both have an estimated net worth of a cool $60 million.

14. Davis Love III – $50 Million

Coming in at number 14 on the list of richest golfers in the world, 2017 World Golf Hall of Fame Inductee Davis Love III is worth $50 million from his career in golf.

15 and 16. Justin Rose – $40 Million (Tie) and Adam Scott – $40 Million (Tie)

Another successful English golfer, Justin Rose won the 2013 US Open and has a net worth of $40 million. Australian golfer Adam Scott once held the number one spot in the world and has a net worth of $40 million, tying him with Justin Rose for fifteenth place on the list.

17. David Toms – $35 Million

The current owner and creator at his own golfing design business, former PGA champion David Toms has a net worth of $35 million.

18. Darren Clarke – $30 Million

Irish golfer Darren Clarke holds the eighteenth spot on our list with a net worth of $30 million.

19 and 20. Zach Johnson – $25 Million (Tie) and Henrik Stenson – $25 Million (Tie)

Winning a total of 21 tournaments in his career so far, Zach Johnson is tied for the nineteenth position on the 20 richest golfers in the world with Swedish golfer Henrik Stenson. Each golfer has a net worth of $25 million.