The 10 Richest Golfers by Net Worth in 2021

Nothing says “I’m rich.”, like playing golf. How many movies or TV shows have you seen where senators, businessmen, or Mafia bosses partake in this exclusive sport? Probably more than you can count. Besides the culturally-shaped image of golf as an elite pastime, it also has very real budgetary obstacles - the equipment and club membership fees alone are pretty obscene. To no one’s great surprise, many of the richest golfers came from a privileged background, but the wealth they accrue themselves is also nothing to sneeze at. But who is the richest golfer in the world? Let’s find out.

10. Ernie Els

Current net worth: $85 million

Theodore Ernest Els is a South African golfer that entered the pro world back in 1989. He’s known as ‘The Big Easy’ due to his imposing height (1.91 m) and fluid movements uncharacteristic for people of that size. He is, without a doubt, one of the greatest golfers of all time, raking in 19 PGA Tour wins and another 28 on the European tour. He’s one of the richest golfers of all time, too, with his net worth in 2021 standing at $85 million. Ernie Els has finished second to Tiger Woods seven times throughout his career - four of which were in major championships.

9. Jordan Spieth

Current net worth: $110 million

The rise and fall of Jordan Spieth is one of the most tragic stories in the recent history of professional golf. Born in 1993, he was the youngest US Open champion since Bobby Jones in 1923. His 2015 Masters win made him the second-youngest player to win this tournament. However, he’s had a string of poor performances since 2018, dropping from the 1st to 54th place in the World Golf Ranking. Despite this, he’s still one of the richest pro golfers around. Jordan Spieth’s net worth in 2021 is estimated at around $110 million.

8. Fred Couples

Current net worth: $120 million.

Fred ‘Boom Boom’ Couples is an American pro golfer that’s deep into his well-deserved retirement. He entered the world of professional golf 41 years ago, earning his nickname thanks to the accuracy of his tee. He garnered 15 PGA tour wins during his career and three European Tour wins. He was also successful in Senior majors until his back problems caught up to him. Still, you’ll find Fred Couples on most top 10 richest golfers lists, as his wealth is valued at $120 million in 2021.

7. Rory McIlroy

Current net worth: $150 million

Rory McIlroy is a Northern Ireland-born professional golfer. He spent 100 weeks ranked as the world’s No. 1 player, being a four-time major champion. What’s more, McIlroy, Tiger Woods, and Jack Nicklaus are the only three players to have won four majors by the age of 25. On top of that, he has 18 PGA tour wins and 14 European ones. He is regularly found on the richest golfers’ net worth lists, as he earned over $30 million in endorsements alone. Current estimates put his total wealth at $150 million.

6. Gary Player

Current net worth: $250 million

Here we have another South African golfing legend - Gary Player. One of the best golfers of all time, he achieved nine major wins in the regular tour and nine major championships in the Championship tour. He’s the only non-American player to complete the career Grand Slam and also the youngest player to do so at the time. Nicknamed the ‘Black Knight,’ Gary Player’s colossal fanbase is matched only by his immense wealth. His $250 million-strong net worth guarantees his place in our richest golfers article.

5. Jack Nicklaus

Current net worth: $400 million

Continuing the tradition of top golfers with memorable nicknames, Jack ‘the Golden Bear’ Nicklaus has etched his name in the annals of golf history. Multiple records confirm his status as one of the greatest golfers of all time: He competed in more tournaments than any other player (164), winning 117 of them, of which 18 were major championships. What’s more, he outranks Tiger Woods by three wins. Jack Nicklaus’s net worth is currently estimated at $400 million. Besides being one of the top 10 richest golfers of all time, his company is one of the largest in the golf-course design market.

4. Greg Norman

Current net worth: $400 million

The winner of 89 professional tournaments, including 20 PGA tours and two majors, Greg Norman is definitely deserving of his nickname - The Great White Shark. This Australian golfer and entrepreneur spent 331 weeks holding the number one spot on the Official World Golf Rankings. Besides being a (now-retired) professional golfer, Greg Norman is a successful businessman: His company - dealing with real estate, equity, and golf course design, among other things - raised his net worth to $400 million in 2021, cementing his spot among the top richest golfers.

3. Phil Mickelson

Current net worth: $400 million

Phil ‘Lefty’ Mickelson is a legendary golf player who spent 25 years in a row in the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking. He is ranked 9th according to the number of PGA Tour wins, winning 44 of these events during his career. He won three out of four majors, never managing to win the US Open, where he placed second a record six times. Phil Mickelson’s net worth sits at $400 million currently, right in the middle of the top 5 richest golfers in the world.

2. Arnold Palmer

Current net worth: $700 million

Nicknamed ‘The King’, Arnold Palmer was a true game-changer in the world of golf and sports celebrities in general. Graced by good luck and irresistible charm, one could say he mirrored the other King of his time - Elvis Presley. Besides being incredibly charismatic, Arnold Palmer also possessed superb golfing skills, which won him 62 PGA Tours and seven majors. He is also one of the original 13 players to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. While Palmer passed away in 2016, he is still regularly found on the top ten richest golfers lists due to the immense wealth he accrued during his years as one of the top golfers. The latest estimates put his net worth at $700 million.

1. Tiger Woods

Current net worth: $800 million

You probably guessed this one without even opening the article. The most recognizable golf player in the world, Tiger Woods, holds numerous records. He stayed in first place on the Official Gold Ranking list for 264 consecutive weeks and 683 with all his time put together. Woods has won 82 PGA Tours, tying with Sam Snead for this record. He is also the youngest player to achieve the career Grand Slam. With such a fantastic track record, it’s no wonder he’s the president of the richest golfers club. While his incredible ups were often marred by disappointing downs, as he dedicated time to resolve both physical and marital problems, the drops in Tiger Woods’ career earnings have been cushioned by endorsements, appearance, and course-design fees, in addition to various other sources of revenue. His net worth for 2021 is estimated at $800 million.