Rory McIlroy has enjoyed a stunning golfing season so far, but could be set to lose a huge chunk of his earnings in 2025 due to tax implications, according to a sports finance expert
Rory McIlroy could lose millions in prize money this season(Image: Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy could face losing out on a hefty £20million from his earnings in tax despite his stellar performance this season, warns sports finance expert Dr. Rob Wilson. The Northern Irishman has been on a winning streak, securing titles at the Players Championship and AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
His crowning achievement was by far the historic victory at the 2025 Masters, which earned him an impressive £3.1m. Yet, Dr. Wilson from Sheffield Hallam University believes that the taxman might take a sizeable slice of McIlroy’s winnings and endorsements.
Speaking with OLBG, the finance expert said: “With Rory McIlroy, we’re talking about a player who will be earning north of £50million annually. That of course is across his prize money and his endorsements.
“This year, you’re looking at a potential £75million year given his recent success at the Masters. The PGA Championship alone offers around $3.3million (£2.5m) for the winner but as we know the tax implications depend very much on the jurisdiction so where the tax earnings are situated in the world.
“So let’s just take Rory as a Northern Irish resident, he’ll be subject to UK tax. On any worldwide income that will be up to 45%. When he competes in the US, he’s also liable for US federal and state taxes, though he can claim tax relief under the existing UK US tax treaty.
“It’s interesting to see whether that will continue under President Trump.”
Dr Wilson has shed light on the hefty tax implications for McIlroy, revealing that he could be shelling out up to 50% in taxes on his earnings this year. That’s a staggering £20m – nearly half of his projected annual takings for 2025.
Rory McIlroy won the prize pot at the Masters this year(Image: Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
He added: “Overall, I would suggest he’s probably losing somewhere between 40-50% of his gross playing income to tax depending on where that’s earned. Obviously you need to deduct all of his expenses and they’re to be significant because of the lifestyle of a golfer, travel, accommodation, all that stuff is going to come off a lot of those figures.
“Say we take that £50million annually, he’s not going to lose £25million of that, but he’ll lose a heavy proportion, perhaps £20million in tax. Critically though, his corporate structures and image rights vehicles will be optimised of course to defer and reduce some of those liabilities. So it’s difficult to put a headline rate on it for you.
McIlroy could be bitten by the taxman in 2025(Image: (Image: Getty))
“Around 40-50% is what you would expect to pay, but the corporate structures will reduce that. It’ll be a heavy tax bill I would imagine, but you can only pay tax if you’ve earned the money.”
This financial revelation comes just as McIlroy, whose net worth is reportedly a staggering £225m, sets his sights on another major tournament win at the PGA Championship, kicking off on Thursday, May 15.
The victor’s share of the £13.9m prize pot is projected to be around £2.5m in 2025. This means that if the Northern Irish golfer does secure another major, he would also have to fork out tax on this triumph.
McIlroy will tee off at the PGA Championship alongside Xander Schauffele and Scottie Scheffler at 1:22pm UK time in Thursday’s first round, with his gaze firmly fixed on the coveted trophy.
