Tiger Woods remains the highest earning golfer in the world according to Forbes’ rich list despite mixed success on his return to the course.
Woods – one of just three athletes to cross the billion dollar mark – comes in at number 16 in the 2018 list despite earning ‘just’ $41.3-million on the course. His earnings are heavily boosted by his endorsements which are tracked at $42-million.
Next best is Woods’ long-time opponent Phil Mickelson, in at number 22, who earned a total of $41.3m with just $4.3m in winnings for the period in consideration (1 June 2017 – 1 June 2018).
There are just three golfers who join Woods and Mickelson on the list with Jordan Spieth one spot behind his Ryder Cup colleague in 23rd place. Spieth’s earnings on the course far outweigh his elder colleague but he brings in $30m in endorsements to go with his $11.2m in winnings.
Rory McIlroy enjoyed just one win in the year in consideration – the Arnold Palmer Invitational – as he added $3.7m to his $34m made in endorsements for a total of $37.3m, which was good enough for 26th spot on the list, which is dominated by baseball, basketball and football with 72 athletes represented.
The last golfer to make the list is reigning world number one Justin Thomas – who arrives in at 66th place and who can boast to be the top-performing player on the course after a standout season which included winning a Major and the FedExCup.
Thomas netted just $5m in endorsements but made the list thanks to his $21m earned in winnings.
Forbes’ rich list takeways:
- Floyd Mayweather took the title of the richest athlete for the fourth time in seven years thanks to his mega-payday following his bout against UFC star Conor McGregor
- Mayweather earned $275-million for the fight and added $10m from endorsements
- The undefeated boxer joins Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods as sport’s only billionaire earners
- McGregor is fourth on the list after earning $85m for the fight and $14m extra in endorsements
- The cutoff to make the list is $22.9-million (up $1.5m from 2017)
- The top 100 earned $3.8-billion (a 23% increase from 2017)
- The top 100 has athletes from 22 countries (Americans dominates with 66)
- Endorsement earnings fell for the second straight year to $877-million
- Endorsement incomes are an estimate of sponsorships, appearance fees and licensing incomes
