Rory McIlroy trails Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson when it comes to their earnings in golf.
Rory McIlroy has failed to match the career earnings of a host of golfing icons, including Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. The Northern Irishman completed a Career Grand Slam at the Masters earlier this month after getting the better of Justin Rose in a play-off at Augusta.
McIlroy has been in fine form this year and put himself in contention for Masters victory after posting the best score of the second round. He led the field ahead of the final day of action and held his nerve to claim victory after being pushed all the way by Rose. And the 35-year-old banked £2.8million for his endeavours.
Following the tournament, Sportico have released their latest sports rich list, which compares the earnings of sportspeople from eight different sports. The figures, which were calculated at the end of last year, have been adjusted for inflation, with basketball icon Michael Jordan leading the way.
Woods is second to Jordan as the highest-earning golfer, with earnings of £2.1billion. Arnold Palmer is in sixth place overall after earning £1.37bn throughout his illustrious career, with Jack Nicklaus one position lower after banking £1.31bn.
Mickelson has earnt £1.12bn and is ranked in 11th place, with Greg Norman occupying 15th place in the standings after netting himself £860m during his playing days.
McIlroy is the sixth richest golfer on the list but is only 24th in the overall standings, with his career prize pot standing at £578m.
The blockbuster star will have his work cut out if he is to surpass Woods and Mickelson in the money rankings but will give it his best shot as he is the most likely of the trio to reach the latter stages of the biggest golf tournaments over the next decade.
The prize money on offer at Majors is staggering and he will have his next opportunity to win one of the big four events at the PGA Championship in May.
McIlroy had a whirlwind week following his victory at Augusta after falling ill in the aftermath of the tournament.
And, discussing his health setback in midweek, he explained: “We first went to London with [my wife] Erica and [daughter] Poppy to see our new home that we’re building there last week. And then we made the trip over to Belfast to see my mum and dad and a few other people that are important to me over there.
“I’ve picked up a bit of a cold on the way, so I’m feeling a little bit under the weather. Once I got back from Ireland on Sunday, then when I woke up Monday morning, I could barely get out of bed – I was feeling that bad.”
