LIV Golfers Dominate Forbes Highest Paid Golfers List For 2022

In a report by Forbes, LIV Golf has boosted the earnings of the top 10 golfers by $370 million

Johnson and Mickelson walk off the tee
(Image credit: Getty Images)

In a recent Forbes report, it has been revealed that the influence and impact of LIV Golf have lined the pockets of some of the elite golfers even more, with the Saudi-backed series increasing the earnings of the top ten golfers by an estimated $370 million since June. This brings the combined amount to a record $650 million.

For those unsure on what Forbes is, it is essentially a business magazine that features articles on finance, industry, investing, and marketing. It famously releases lists and rankings on wealth and power etc.

Publishing an online piece titled 'The World's Highest-Paid Golfers 2022', Phil Mickelson tops the pile. The 52-year-old will pick up an projected $200 million, half of which he has likely received upfront, Forbes states. 

Thus far, over the past year, the six-time Major winner has pulled in a reported $138 million, making him the world’s highest-paid athlete in 2022. He even beat footballer, Lionel Messi, who raked in a jaw-dropping $130 million!

Mickelson looks on with sunglasses on

Mickelson crossed $1 billion in career earnings thanks to his LIV Golf deal

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Such is the impact of LIV Golf, which is owned by Saudi Arabia’s $620 billion (assets) sovereign wealth fund, that Dustin Johnson ranks as the fifth-highest-paid athlete in the world. 

The 38-year-old pocketed a reported $97 million in the last year, including an estimated $62 million signing bonus from LIV Golf in May. Whilst playing on the PGA Tour, he made $74,897,059 in career earnings.

Another LIV golfer who has seen a rise up the leaderboard in terms of pay is Bryson DeChambeau, with the American reportedly getting a guaranteed $125 million from the LIV Golf, half of which Forbes estimates he received upfront.

As a result, the 28-year-old takes the final podium spot, with $86 million over the past 12 putting him 11th in the highest-paid athlete list, ahead of seven-time Super Bowl winner, Tom Brady.

Rory and Tiger smile as they walk down the 18th

Tiger and Rory rank fifth and sixth on the list

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Sitting in fourth is Brooks Koepka, with the first non-LIV golfer appearing in fifth. Who could that possibly be you may ask? Well, unsurprisingly, it's Tiger Woods. Previously, the 15-time Major winner was once the world’s highest-paid athlete ten years running, but now, after total earnings of $68 million, he just cracks the top five.

To round off the top 10, we see two other non-LIV golfers in sixth and eighth respectively: Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth. The other three players included on the list are Sergio Garcia, Patrick Reed and World No. 121 Charl Schwartzel, the winner of the very first LIV Golf event.

Check out the full breakdown below:

  • Phil Mickelson - On Course $102 million - Off Course $36 million - $138 million
  • Dustin Johnson - On Course $68 million - Off Course $29 million - $97 million
  • Bryson DeChambeau - On Course $66 million - Off Course $20 million - $86 million
  • Brooks Koepka - On Course $53 million - Off Course $16 million - $69 million
  • Tiger Woods - On Course $43,500 - Off Course $68 million - $68 million
  • Rory McIlroy - On Course $9 million - Off Course $34 million - $43 million
  • Sergio Garcia - On Course $35 million - Off Course $7 million - $42 million
  • Jordan Spieth - On Course $8 million - Off Course - $31 million - $39 million
  • Patrick Reed - On Course $34 million - Off Course - $3 million - $37 million
  • Charl Schwartzel - On Course $30 million - Off Course - $4 million - $34 million
Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.

Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.

Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x