Golf’s riches continue to hit the heights, with tournaments offering fatter purses than ever witnessed and brand sponsorships featuring plenty of zeros. Pro golfers now have the highest fiscal motivation in modern history, and just one good year on top form can significantly improve a player’s net worth. Although fans mainly estimate a golfer’s earnings from their event winnings, it’s mostly the boardroom meetings with corporate sponsors where the big cheques are signed. It’s worth noting that most LIV golfers lost many of their sponsorship deals after defecting to the Saudi-backed league, affecting their positions on this list.
Top Ten Players with The Most Lucrative Brand Sponsorships
Tiger Woods
Although his days of roaring on the course might be behind him, his brand still stands tall among golf greats, making him a sponsor magnet. Since he broke out in the late nineties, he has partnered with many top brands such as Nike, Bridgestone, and TaylorMade. In 2022 alone, Woods pocketed around $68 million from endorsements, making him one of the best-paid golfers despite his injury problems.
Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy is another cash cow where endorsements are concerned. The talented golfer has partnered with reputable brands such as TaylorMade, Nike, Omega, Optum, and NBC Sports. The Nike deal is reportedly worth $100m, with TaylorMade also said to match the figure. It’s no wonder that he is estimated to earn an average of $40 million annually from brand endorsements.
Phil Mickelson
Lefty is one of the stars whose sponsorship roster slimmed significantly after defecting to LIV Golf. Before the move, Mickelson had mouth-watering sponsorship deals with the likes of Callaway who paid him around $42m annually. Other top sponsors to leave his side included KPMG, Heineken, and Workday. Nonetheless, he still enjoys lucrative sponsorships from Mizzen and Main, VisaJet, Melin, and Intrepid, grossing him around $30m annually.
Jordan Spieth
Texas native golfer Jordan Spieth is one of the sport’s biggest names, especially for his long drives and multiple career wins. The 2015 Masters winner’s prowess has attracted reputable corporate sponsors such as Under Armour, AT&T, SuperStroke, NetJets, Wheaties, Perfect Sense, and Titleist. From the brand deals, Spieth reportedly makes around $30m annually.
Justin Thomas
Two-time PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas has proven to be a force to reckon with on tour and in corporate endorsements, earning him a fortune. JT’s brand sponsors include Titleist, FootJoy, Citi Bank, NetJets, Woodford Reserve, Beats by Dr Dre, Troon, and Greyson Clothiers, who pay the star around $20m annually.
Xander Schauffele
California golfing sensation Xander Schauffele is one of the most consistent players, and such a resume attracts dollar bills. Schauffele has long partnered with Adidas in a deal that reportedly pays him $10 million annually. He also partners with sponsors like Callaway, Aon, and Hyland, adding around $4m to his yearly endorsement revenue.