Golf pays. Sure, athletes in the NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL bring home substantial paychecks. They also have limited careers. The average professional basketball, football, baseball, or hockey career is nowhere near as long as the average professional golf career. A golfer can play the game and stay in the spotlight for decades. Professional golfers putt their way to massive fortunes over the course of several decades. Golfers can keep playing on the professional circuit well into their 50s. Golf is also a sport that is played year round and all over the world. There are tons of opportunities for pro golfers to make a little extra cash. And then there are the endorsements. Golfers are an attractive option for businesses and brands looking for a spokesman. Golf traditionally reaches a demographic with high levels of disposable income. Golf's international appeal adds to the lucrative endorsement deals.
To the surprise of absolutely no one, Tiger Woods is the highest-paid golfer on the PGA tour of all time.
Let's take a look at the 15 highest-earning professional golfers of all time.
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#15. Jason Day
Earnings: $40,272,953
Major championships: 2015 PGA Championship
PGA Tour wins: 11
#14. David Toms
Earnings: $41,840,270
Major championships: 2001 PGA Championship
#13. Matt Kuchar
Earnings: $42,827,943
PGA Tour wins: 7
#12. Zach Johnson
Earnings: $43,296,713
Major championships: 2007 Masters Tournament, 2015 The Open Tournament
PGA Tour wins: 12
#11. Steve Stricker
Earnings: $43,586,344
PGA Tour wins: 14
#10. Justin Rose
Earnings: $43,792,365
Major championships: 2013 U.S. Open
PGA Tour wins: 8
#9. Davis Love III
Earnings: $44,614,145
Major championships: 1997 PGA Tournament
PGA Tour wins: 21
#8. Adam Scott
Earnings: $47,229,313
Major championships: 2013 Masters Tournament
PGA Tour wins: 13
#7. Sergio Garcia
Earnings: $47,952,884
Major championships: 2017 Masters Tournament
PGA Tour wins: 10
#6. Ernie Els
Earnings: $48,978,472
Major championships: 1994 & 1997 U.S. Open, 2000 & 2012 The Open Championship
PGA Tour wins: 19
#5. Dustin Johnson
Nationality: United States
Earnings: $50,593,604
Major championships: 2016 U.S. Open
PGA Tour wins: 17
#4. Jim Furyk
Earnings: $67,977,577
Major championships: 2003 U.S. Open
PGA Tour wins: 17
#3.Vijay Singh
Earnings: $70,889,890
Major championships: 2000 Masters Tournament, 1994 & 2004 PGA Championship
PGA Tour wins: 36
#2. Phil Mickelson
Earnings: $86,889,213
Major championships: 2004, 2006, & 2010 Masters Tournament, 2005 PGA Championship, 2013 The Open Championship
PGA Tour wins: 43
#1. Tiger Woods
Earnings: $111,182,697
Major championships: 1997 Masters, 1999 PGA Championship, 2000 U.S. Open, 2000 The Open Championship, 2000 PGA Championship, 2001 Masters, 2002 Masters, 2002 U.S. Open, 2005 Masters, 2005 The Open Championship, 2006 The Open Championship, 2006 PGA Championship, 2007 PGA Championship, 2008 U.S. Open
PGA Tour wins: 79
