In addition to the glory of victory, there is much more at stake in world-class professional golf… especially money. This week the US PGA Championship is being played, which celebrates its 100th edition and distributes 10.5 million dollars in prize money, of which 1.89 million dollars will be pocketed by the winner.
While this is undoubtedly a very considerable amount, it pales in comparison to the advertising sponsorship earnings of some of the world’s most prominent players.
Thus, according to Forbes magazine, the top five in the ranking of the money earned last year would total earnings of almost 180 million dollars.
Top of the list is Tiger Woods, with 43.3 million, corresponding to 42 million from sponsors (Nike, Bridgestone, Monster Energy…) and 1.3 million from tournament earnings. It is estimated that the Californian has earned $1.5 billion since he turned pro in 1996, and of that amount less than 10 percent comes from prize money.
Second in this 2017 monetary ranking is Phil Mickelson, with 41.3 million (37 from sponsors), who is followed by Jordan Spieth, with 41.2 (30 from sponsors).
Between them, these three companies account for more than 100 million in annual revenues from advertising sponsorship alone.
Next is the only non-American in the quintet, Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, with $37.7 million ($34 million from sponsorships) and fifth on the list is Justin Thomas, with $26 million, of which $5 million is from sponsorships and $26 million from tournament winnings (he pocketed $10 million for his first place finish in the FedExCup alone).
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