The 6 Golfers Who Made the 2025 List of Highest-Paid Athletes

The money in golf these days isn’t whispered—it’s shouted from leaderboards and billionaire balance sheets. According to Sportico’s annual list of the 100 highest-paid athletes in the world, golf isn’t just holding its own, it’s firmly entrenched. Year after year, a handful of players continue to percolate near the very top.

Say what you want about the ongoing PGA TOUR vs. LIV tension—both internal and external—but an even split of three TOUR players and three LIV players on Sportico’s 2025 list speaks for itself. Especially when you factor in tournaments played per dollar earned.

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#10 Jon Rahm ($100.7 M)

With an estimated $100.7 million in total earnings in 2025, Rahm finishes inside the global top 10 for the second straight year, again standing as golf’s highest-paid player. Sportico breaks that down as $84.7M in salary and $16M in endorsements, much of it tied to a reported $300M+ LIV deal and season bonuses—despite limited wins.

For context, Rahm’s PGA TOUR career earnings sit around $52.8M, illustrating the widening gap between guaranteed money and traditional prize checks.

His 2025 total places him just behind Kevin Durant ($100.8M) and narrowly ahead of Lewis Hamilton ($100M)—rare air for any golfer.

#14 Rory McIlroy ($91.2M)

McIlroy’s year wasn’t just culturally significant—it was financially massive. Completing the career Grand Slam helped anchor a $91.2M earnings year, nearly $51M of it coming off-course through endorsements and business ventures.

After ranking No. 17 in 2024 at $79.8M, McIlroy leapfrogs several peers and remains one of just two golfers ever to surpass $100M in PGA TOUR career earnings, joining Tiger Woods. Longevity, brand equity, and elite play—Rory checks every box.

#16 Scottie Scheffler ($82.9 M)

Scheffler slipped slightly from last year’s No. 11 ranking, but an $82.9M haul softens the landing. Six wins, a fourth straight Player of the Year trophy, and $32M in endorsement income will do that.

Already third all-time in PGA TOUR Career Money Leaders at $99.5M, Scheffler’s 2025 total edges out Patrick Mahomes’ $80.3M, for perspective. Not bad for a guy who still looks mildly confused every time he wins.

#23 Bryson DeChambeau ($62.7M)

A major mover. DeChambeau rockets from No. 97 in 2024 ($38.2M) to No. 23 this year, fueled by LIV checks and roughly $20M in endorsements. However polarizing his path, the financial results are undeniable.

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#41 Tiger Woods ($55M)

Two starts. $55 million earned.

Woods’ on-course appearances were limited, but his $54M in off-course income—powered by TGL and a strong year for Sun Day Red—keeps him comfortably inside the top 50.

And just in case you forgot: Tiger still sits No. 1 all-time in PGA TOUR career earnings at roughly $121M. A master class in long-term brand equity.

#63 Joaquin Niemann ($47.2)

The sneaky inclusion. Niemann lands nearly the same spot as last year (No. 66, $45.9M), continuing to pair strong LIV earnings with growing off-course value. Numbers like these would’ve sounded fictional ten years ago.

Notably Absent in 2025

Xander Schauffele — $55.8M in 2024 (No. 36)

Tyrrell Hatton — $47.1M in 2024 (No. 57)

Collin Morikawa — $43.1M in 2024 (No. 78)

LPGA Players — No female athletes made the 2026 list of Top 100 Highest-Paid Athletes in 2025. Tennis star Coco Gauff was the top earner in women's sports at $31 million and the list cut off at $37.9 million. Sportico also publishes a list specifically for female athletes—where Jeeno Thitkul and Nelly Korda highlight the top 15.

Golfers on the world’s highest-paid athlete lists are no longer anomalies—they’re the norm. What used to be a sport with one financial outlier now regularly produces multiple names shoulder-to-shoulder with global superstars. Legacy sponsorships combined with on-course paydays has projected pro golf in the global money conversation—and it’s not leaving anytime soon.

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