Golf is generally considered a pastime of the rich.
But for the not-so-rich who decide to turn the game into an occupation and a passion, there are millions to be minted on-course and off-course in prize money, endorsements, appearance fees and business ventures.
The highest earning golf players in the world have accumulated the most earnings from both.
The top 10 highest earning golf players in the world as of 2023 are:
Tiger Woods
With a net worth of $800 million, Tiger Woods is not only the wealthiest but also the greatest golfers of all time, with 15 major championships and 82 PGA Tour wins.
In 2023, he has earned over $62.2 million.
Woods, 47, has lucrative deals with Nike, TaylorMade, Bridgestone, Monster Energy, and others.
The American also owns a golf course design company and a restaurant chain.
Phil Mickelson
One of the most popular and successful golfers in history, 53-year-old Mickelson has bagged 44 PGA Tour wins and five major titles.
With a net worth of $400 million, $46.1 million of it made in 2023, he is the second richest golfer after Woods.
He has endorsements from Callaway, KPMG, Rolex, Amgen, and others. He also has a stake in the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team and a coffee brand.
Dustin Johnson
The current world number one and the 2020 Masters champion, Johnson has 24 PGA Tour wins and two major titles.
This year, Johnson, 39, has earned over $40.8 million, with $97 million as his total earnings.
He has sponsorships from Adidas, TaylorMade, RBC, NetJets, and others. He also has a clothing line and a golf academy.
Rory McIlroy
With a net worth of $180 million, Mcllroy is a four-time major champion and a former world number one, with 18 PGA Tour wins and 14 European Tour wins.
This year, Northern Irish golfer has earned over $32.8 million. He has deals with Nike, TaylorMade, Omega, NBC Sports, and others. He also has a podcast and a foundation.
Jordan Spieth
He is a three-time major champion and a former world number one, with 11 PGA Tour wins and three European Tour wins.
Spieth, 30, has earned over $29.6 million in 2023, with $100 million as his net worth. He has partnerships with Under Armour, Titleist, Rolex, AT&T, and others.
The American also has a wine label and a charity.
Justin Thomas
He is the 2017 PGA Championship winner and a former world number one, with 14 PGA Tour wins and two European Tour wins.
Thomas has earned over $42 million in 2023, with $69 million as his total earnings. He has contracts with Titleist, Polo Ralph Lauren, Citi, NetJets, and others.
The 30-year-old American also has a book and a foundation.
Xander Schauffele
Schauffele, 30, is ranked the seventh richest golfer with a net worth of $86 million, having earned $24 million this year.
He is a four-time PGA Tour winner and a two-time Presidents Cup team member.
Schauffele has agreements with Callaway, Adidas, Rolex, BMW, and others. He also has a golf simulator and a coffee company.
Jon Rahm
He is the 2021 US Open champion and a former world number one, with six PGA Tour wins and seven European Tour wins.
The 29-year-old Spanish citizen has earned over $30 million in 2023, with $30 million as his net worth.
Rham has affiliations with Callaway, Rolex, Mercedes-Benz, Banco Santander, and others. He also has a video game and a foundation.
Brooks Koepka
Koepka is a four-time major champion and a former world number one, with eight PGA Tour wins and seven European Tour wins.
The American has earned over $53 million in 2023, with $69 million as his total earnings.
He has associations with Nike, Michelob Ultra, NetJets, Rolex, and others. He also has a fitness app and a charity.
Bryson DeChambeau
DeChambeau, 33, is the 2020 US Open champion and a six-time PGA Tour winner.
This year, he has earned over $66 million, with $86 million as his total earnings.
He has collaborations with Cobra, Puma, Bridgestone, DraftKings, and others. He also has a protein drink and a science project.
