Rory McIlroy has more earning potential than any other professional golfer in the world with an estimated £280 million ($401M) to made during the remainder of his career.
That is according to a new study by financial consultancy Duff & Phelps which has compiled a ranking of the world’s top 60 male golfers using a combination of tournament winnings, endorsement income and projected earnings from the PGA (Professional Golfers’ Association) Tour’s Player Impact Program.
Holywood, County Down-born McIlroy stands head and shoulders above nearest rival Justin Thomas who has earning potential of £211M ($299M) and Bryson DeCambeau at £159M ($225M).
It is the second year in a row that McIlroy has topped the list which counts potential earnings up to the age of 50 and it appears the disruption to play as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic hasn’t dented his form. Last year, Duff & Phelp’s pegged his earning potential at around £212M ($300M).
He is single-handedly responsible for Northern Ireland taking third place in the league table of golfing nations ranked by potential earnings, coming behind the US with its 27 players collectively able to earn £1,930M ($2,735M) and England with seven players capable of earning £339M ($481M).
Australia is fourth on that list with it’s the collective earning potential of its five golfers at £157M ($223M), nearly half McIlroy’s £280 million ($401M).
On current form, the Duff & Phelps report said it was unlikely McIlroy would be knocked off the top spot given his form and his commercial ability.
“We predict he will retain the top position regardless of the PGA Tour’s Player Impact Program. He’s held the No. 1 spot on OWGR (Official World Golf Ranking) for 106 weeks, has 92 top 10 finishes and is a highly endorsable crowd favorite.
“He’s mid-way through two 10-year contracts (Nike and TaylorMade) with a combined value of $300 million and is the namesake of an EA Sports video game (replacing Woods). With 6.6 million followers, he’s the second most influential golfer on social media.”
The report said only a third of professional golfers’ earnings will come from tournament winnings with the rest from endorsement deals.
It said early performance is a good indicator of long-term tournament winnings and lucrative and sustained endorsements. Players that ranked in the top 10 OWGR by age 22 outperformed those that reached the top 10 later in their careers.
