Scottie Scheffler’s near miss at the Masters wasn’t sufficient to stop him leapfrogging Rory McIlroy in golf’s latest earnings table. However, the American still isn’t the sport’s top earner over the past 12 months.
That’s according to Forbes’ latest ranking of the world’s wealthiest athletes in the 12 months leading up to May 2026. This just happened to align with arguably the most successful year of Scheffler’s career thus far, including two major championships, which has propelled him to 16th in sport’s financial hierarchy for 2025/26.
The 29-year-old, who came third at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson on Sunday, is estimated to have accumulated roughly £63million ($84.6m) over the past 12 months, with approximately £40m of that coming from prize money. The remaining £23m or so is generated through out-of-competition income such as brand partnerships, sponsorships or other business ventures.
Two-time Masters winner McIlroy, 37, sits only marginally behind in the standings with estimated earnings of almost £57m over the past 12 months. However, the split in revenue sources tells quite the opposite story compared to his rival.
While Scheffler’s income relies heavily on tournament success, McIlroy’s has become far more dependent on off-course earnings of late. In fact, the £37m he’s reportedly generated away from competition over the last year represents the sixth-highest figure of any athlete featured in Forbes’ analysis.
That figure underlines the irresistible pulling power of McIlroy as a brand ambassador for the likes of Nike, Omega and TaylorMade. And it positions the Northern Irishman for even greater financial rewards once he manages to string together a more consistent run of results.
It’s extraordinary to consider that McIlroy’s two Masters titles represent his only PGA Tour victories since April 2025. His sole professional win outside Augusta came at last September’s Irish Open, which is staged on the DP World Tour.
Yet neither Scheffler nor McIlroy have topped the earnings table among golfers on the Forbes rich list. That distinction instead belongs to McIlroy’s Ryder Cup colleague Jon Rahm.
Rahm, 31, continues to reap the rewards of the reported £220m deal he signed to join the Saudi-backed breakaway tour in 2024. However, the future of those payments are now in serious doubt following reports the Public Investment Fund (PIF) will stop bankrolling LIV after 2026.
Such a development could well see Rahm drop out of sport’s wealthiest list entirely in next year’s update, or at the very least slip down several places. Meanwhile, Scheffler’s position above McIlroy looks secure for the foreseeable future given the four-time PGA Tour Player of the Year remains one of the most dependable performers on the circuit.
The pair are set to lock horns once more at the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio, which tees off on June 4. The prestigious event boasts a staggering £3m top prize up for grabs, with McIlroy getting the chance to claw back ground on Scheffler in the earnings race.
