Golf's Top Ten Earners Collected $536 Million Over Past Year

Forbes estimates the ten highest-paid golfers earned a combined $536 million in the 12 months ending June 2026. The total is down 12 percent from the prior year and 29 percent from the 2023 peak. Jon Rahm ranked first with $111 million, including an estimated $101 million from prize money and on-course bonuses.

His compensation also included a $50 million contractual guarantee from LIV Golf and an $18 million bonus as the tour's individual champion. Scottie Scheffler placed second at $79 million, with $49 million earned on the course and $30 million from off-course sources.

Rory McIlroy ranked third at $77 million.

The decline follows the expiration or near-completion of several large 2022 LIV contracts, including those of Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson. Bryson DeChambeau and Joaquin Niemann are the only other LIV golfers on the list. On the PGA Tour, increased parity, limited schedules, and changes to bonus structures reduced earnings for several established players.

Tommy Fleetwood entered the top ten at sixth place after winning the Tour Championship.

The PGA Tour has expanded its player equity program, granting more than $1 billion in equity value to nearly 200 players. It also increased the number of signature events offering $20 million purses. Brooks Koepka returned to the PGA Tour from LIV under conditions that made him ineligible for equity grants and FedEx Cup bonuses.

Patrick Reed applied for reinstatement but must compete on the DP World Tour until next year.