Winning at the professional level does wonders for your bank account, especially in the post-Tiger Woods era. But it’s usually the stuff outside the ropes that makes your net worth pop.
Here 10 professional golfers whose hard work has financially paid off. (Please note: net worth figures are indicative of assets versus liabilities. All net worth figures are according to CelebrityNetWorth.com unless otherwise noted.)
Ernie Els
Net Worth: $85 Million
The Big Easy turned pro in 1989 and has won 19 times on the PGA Tour and 28 times across the pond on the European Tour, topping the Order of Merit list (European Tour’s money list) in 2003 and 2004. Across all tours combined, the South African has won 65 times, including four majors and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011. When he is not on the golf course, Els is involved in running a golf course design business and a highly-regarded winery, as well as a charitable foundation that supports golf among underprivileged kids in South Africa.
Jordan Spieth
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Net Worth: $100 Million
At just 25 years of age Jordan Spieth has racked up quite a few accolades, and in doing so, created quite a little nest egg in the process. The 3-time Major winner has earned his money from a combination of impressive wins, and endorsements, including Wheaties, Coca-Cola, and Rolex. He was a top #25 highest-paid athlete in 2018, so he is sure to climb this list as his career continues.
Fred Couples
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Net Worth: $120 Million
Fred Couples checks in with a cool net worth of $120 million. The man affectionately known as Boom Boom turned pro in 1980 and amassed 15 wins on the PGA Tour including claiming his lone major at 1992 Masters. He then took his sweet swing to the PGA Tour Champions and has won 12 times including a couple of majors. Even with a balky back, Couples was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013.
Rory McIlroy
Net Worth: $130 Million
Since turning professional in 2007, Rory McIlroy has won 13 times on the PGA Tour, including four major championships which total over $35 million. The Northern Irishman also won 13 times on the European Tour. He’s been in the Nike stable since 2013 which pays him somewhere in the ballpark of $10-$20 million per year. Rory’s now shopping for an equipment manufacturer since Nike’s exit from the hardgoods marketplace. He also replaced Tiger Woods as the face of EA Sports’ PGA Tour video game.
Gary Player
Net Worth: $250 Million
The Black Knight is the proud owner of 164 professional wins throughout his illustrious career. He won nine majors in all which include three Masters, three Open Championships, two PGAs and one U.S. Open. He has been an international ambassador of the game for generations and sports one of the coolest athlete nicknames ever. Off the course, he’s got his course design company, his real estate company and his foundation, which promotes underprivileged education around the world.
Greg Norman
Net Worth: $300 Million
The Great White Shark has a net worth of $300 million between his on-course winnings and his business ventures outside the ropes. Norman turned professional in 1976 and collected 91 professional wins between the PGA, European and Australasia Tours, which includes two majors at the Open Championship. Off the course, the Australian established his own course design company 1987, his own clothing line in 1992, and made his debut into the wine industry with the launching of Greg Norman Estates in 1996. Today, he maintains all of his thriving business interests under the umbrella of his company Great White Shark Enterprises.
Jack Nicklaus
Net Worth: $320 Million
The Golden Bear is considered to be the greatest golfer of all time and his 115 professional wins and 18 major titles may have something to do with it. He turned pro in 1961 and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame just 13 years later in 1974. Off the course, he is the founder and host of the Memorial Tournament at his own club called Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio. He’s designed many other courses, penned books, and is one of, if not, the most respected person in the game today.
Phil Mickelson
Net Worth: $400 Million
Lefty turned pro in 1992 and has amassed 44 wins on the PGA Tour with 5 majors to his name good enough for over $82 million in total prize money. However, he’ll be the first to tell you he’d like to thank Tiger Woods for inflating the purses. The only major he hasn’t won is the U.S. Open where he’s finished runner-up a record six times. Mickelson has spent over 700 weeks in the top-10 of the Official World Golf Ranking. He’s also a sponsor’s best friend, raking millions a year through his partnerships. Thumbs up!
Arnold Palmer
Net Worth: $700 Million
The late great Arnold Palmer checked in with a net worth of $700 million. Winner of 62 PGA Tour events and 7 majors, The King only earned $1.8 million inside the ropes for his efforts. Of course, that money went a long way back then, but it was his endorsements and entrepreneurial ventures that really set him apart. Besides being the first professional golfer with his own equipment contract, he also was the owner of the Bay Hill Club and Lodge, which hosts the appropriately named the Arnold Palmer Invitational. His company, Arnold Palmer Enterprises, deals with the licensing, endorsements, spokesman associations, and commercial partnerships of all things Arnie. He was a sports icon and epitomized what all athletes aspire to be.
Tiger Woods
Net Worth: $800 Million
Tiger Woods is a money-making machine whether he’s on the course or not checking in with a net worth of $800 million. His 80 PGA Tour wins and 14 majors are the second-most all-time. He is single handily responsible for raising purses into the millions of dollars due to his unbelievable play and mass appeal. Other sponsors have come and gone since his scandal back in 2009 along with his ongoing back problems, but one that remained constant is Nike who he’s been with since he became a pro. His new company TGR Ventures is thriving and we can expect more Woods’ designed golf course to keep popping up.
