Rory McIlroy is estimated to have earned more money playing golf than anyone else on the planet
Rory McIlroy has pocketed more prize money during the course of his career than any other golfer in the world, new research has shown.
The Holywood man is estimated to have earned £138.7 million on the golf course, putting him top of the all-time earners list, ahead of LIV Golf trio Jon Rahm ($164.8m), Dustin Johnson ($139.2m) and Sergio Garcia ($131.2m), as well as 15-time major winner Tiger Woods ($124.8m).
McIlroy took home a record-breaking $35.8 million this season, which included his historic Masters victory. OLBG estimates the world number two has earned $187.4m throughout his career, including $108.0m on the PGA Tour and $79.4m on the European Tour.
The 36-year-old also won the Irish Open at the K Club in September just weeks before helping Team Europe to an away Ryder Cup victory at Bethpage Black in New York. He also secured his fourth straight Race to Dubai crown and seventh in total.
A memorable 2025 has seen McIlroy pick up a number of awards in the past week, including both the BBC Sports Personality of the Year and RTÉ Sports Person of the Year.
Speaking after picking up the latter of those, McIlroy said: “Thank you so much. Very proud to win my third RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year. 2025 has been an incredible year for me. If I rewind, 12 months ago, I was looking and setting goals for 2025 and what it would look like.
“I don’t think I could have came up with this year in my wildest dreams, The Masters, The Irish Open, The Ryder Cup. It’s been a dream season. I just want to say to everyone at home, thanks for your support.
“I feel it out there on the golf course, and when I’m travelling around the world, it’s not lost on me how much support I get back home.”
He further added: “I think at this point in my career, I’m looking for big tournaments and massive moments. Major championships in golf are those, Masters and Ryder Cups, and then the Olympics.
“I’ve had a taste of two Olympics now in Tokyo and Paris. I’ve been pretty close to getting a medal both times, so, 2028 in LA, I would love to give myself another chance to get a medal and bring it back to Ireland.”
