Jordan Spieth was the top earner in golf last year, bringing in more than $53M and knocking Tiger Woods off the top spot for the first time in the money list's 13 years, according to Ron Sirak of GOLF WORLD. Woods fell to No. 3 on the latest 50-golfer list, behind Phil Mickelson. In addition to Spieth, the list includes nine players in their 20s, as well as 18-year-old Lydia Ko (No. 48). Sirak wrote, "All looked to Woods as an example, and the result has been a drastically deepened talent pool in golf" (GOLFWORLDDIGITAL.com, 1/11). The list is comprised of all on-course income last year through Nov. 22, as well as "unofficial money won in nontour events." Off-course income includes estimates of "money earned from endorsements, bonuses, appearance fees, corporate outings, speaking engagements, licensing fees, course architecture, books, instructional videos and businesses that capitalize on a person's status as a player, such as product lines including clothing, wine and turfgrass" (GOLFDIGEST.com, 1/11).
|
RK
|
GOLFER |
ON-COURSE
|
OFF-COURSE
|
TOTAL
|
PREV. RK
|
|
1
|
Jordan Spieth |
$23,030,465
|
$30,000,000
|
$53,030,465
|
16
|
|
2
|
Phil Mickelson |
$2,301,730
|
$50,000,000
|
$52,301,730
|
2
|
|
3
|
Tiger Woods |
$551,098
|
$48,000,000
|
$48,551,098
|
1
|
|
4
|
Rory McIlroy |
$9,468,190
|
$37,500,000
|
$46,968,190
|
3
|
|
5
|
Arnold Palmer |
$0
|
$40,000,000
|
$40,000,000
|
4
|
|
6
|
Jack Nicklaus |
$41,500
|
$22,000,000
|
$22,041,500
|
5
|
|
7
|
Jason Day |
$11,938,330
|
$7,500,000
|
$19,438,330
|
28
|
|
8
|
Rickie Fowler |
$8,254,416
|
$9,000,000
|
$17,254,416
|
12
|
|
9
|
Justin Rose |
$7,119,762
|
$8,000,000
|
$15,119,762
|
7
|
|
10
|
Gary Player |
$0
|
$15,000,000
|
$15,000,000
|
11
|
|
11
|
Bubba Watson |
$8,289,297
|
$6,000,000
|
$14,289,297
|
10
|
|
12
|
Henrik Stenson |
$8,513,827
|
$5,000,000
|
$13,513,827
|
18
|
|
13
|
Dustin Johnson |
$6,209,467
|
$6,000,000
|
$12,209,467
|
22
|
|
14
|
Greg Norman |
$0
|
$12,000,000
|
$12,000,000
|
17
|
|
15
|
Zach Johnson |
$5,728,154
|
$5,500,000
|
$11,228,154
|
29
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
STILL GETTING USED TO THINGS: Blogger Geoff Shackelford wrote some of the golfers to recently sign with upstart PXG clubs, including Zach Johnson, Chris Kirk and James Hahn, "didn't have the best start to the year" at last week's PGA Tour Hyundai Tournament of Champions in Maui. But he added, "One week does not make a company." The "real home run" at Kapalua was Brooks Koepka, who tied for third in his first tournament as a Nike endorser. Shackelford: "I heard he really worked hard and went to all the manufacturers and tested clubs and put a lot of time into it. ... For him to come out with his new Nike stuff and have a good week is definitely something” (
“Morning Drive,” Golf Channel, 1/11).
STYLIN' & PROFILIN': Rickie Fowler created a stir at Kapalua last week when he wore high-top Puma spikes and jogging pants during play. Golf Digest Senior Editor Ashley Mayo said, "He has the confidence to pull this look off. ... If you have confidence to pull a look off, you will." She added, "As long as you're within the realm of respect and you keep respecting the game, having fun is the priority, should be your priority, and that's what Rickie's doing.” Golf Channel’s Cara Robinson: "I think this is such a good thing for golf. ... It breaks down barriers. I think it widens our audience, I honestly think it is good, good, good” (“Morning Drive,” Golf Channel, 1/10).
