With LIV Golf’s arrival, Golf has found a new limelight
The introduction of the LIV Tour has injected a huge sum of money into the sport and transformed the list of highest paid golfers in the world. In its short life span, LIV has already boosted the earnings of the ten highest-paid golfers by an estimated $370 million since May, bringing their combined haul to a record $650 million.
The biggest winner is Phil Mickelson. The 52-year-old raked in $138 million over the past year, making him the world’s highest-paid athlete in 2022, edging out soccer superstar Lionel Messi ($130 million). Seven of the top 10 on this list have defected to the LIV Tour, highlighting just how much the money on offer has changed the landscape.
Only two golfers in the top 10 are active PGA Tour players – Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth – ranked 6th and 8th respectively. The other non-LIV golfer is Tiger Woods, who comes in at No. 5.
#1. $138 mil PHIL MICKELSON
Mickelson became 2022’s highest paid sportsman on the planet
AGE: 52 | ON-COURSE: $102 mil • OFF-COURSE: $36 mil
#2. $97 mil DUSTIN JOHNSON
AGE: 38 | ON-COURSE: $68 mil • OFF-COURSE: $29 mil
#3. $86 mil BRYSON DECHAMBEAU
AGE:28 | ON-COURSE: $66 mil • OFF-COURSE: $20 mil
#4. $69 mil BROOKS KOEPKA
AGE: 32 | ON-COURSE: $53 mil • OFF-COURSE: $16 mil
#5. $68 mil TIGER WOODS
Tiger Woods has played only two events since his accident last February
AGE: 46 | ON-COURSE: $43,500 • OFF-COURSE: $68 mil
#6. $43 mil RORY MCILROY
AGE: 33 | ON-COURSE: $9 mil • OFF-COURSE: $34 mil
#7. $42 mil SERGIO GARCIA
AGE: 42 | ON-COURSE: $35 mil • OFF-COURSE: $7 mil
#8. $39 mil JORDAN SPIETH
AGE: 29 | ON-COURSE: $8 mil • OFF-COURSE: $31 mil
#9. $37 mil PATRICK REED
Patrick Reed is now focusing on Asian Tour events for OWGR points
AGE: 31 | ON-COURSE: $34 mil • OFF-COURSE: $3 mil
#10. $34 mil CHARL SCHWARTZEL
AGE: 37 | ON-COURSE: $30 mil • OFF-COURSE: $4 mil
Credits:-
Photo – Forbes