Getty Images
LIV Golf has poured tons of money into the sport over the past several years, and players on the Saudi-backed tour have been the biggest beneficiaries. With guaranteed contracts along with $25 million in weekly purses, there is a lot of money to be made every time they make a splash.
With such flashy briefs, it should come as no surprise that two of the world’s highest-paid golfers play on the LIV golf course. according to ForbesAnd Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson have been the highest-earning players in golf over the past 12 months, ranking sixth and seventh in the top 10 sports overall.
Johnson, who turned down the PGA Tour in favor of LIV Golf last summer, has earned the honor as the world’s highest-paid golfer, winning $107 million since May 2022. The vast majority of that total ($102 million) has come in on-track earnings, with Johnson leading The Tour won prize money during its inaugural season, including winning the season long title.
His off-course earnings took a hit when he lost his sponsorship to join LIV Golf, but those losses were more than made up for by the lucrative year he had inside the ropes. According to Forbes, Johnson has made the biggest jump in their ranking year after year, going from outside the top 50 to being one of the highest paid athletes in the sport.
Mickelson, one of the first stars to pledge allegiance to LIV Golf, holds the title as the game’s second highest-earning golfer. Over the past 12 months, the 52-year-old has earned $106 million. And like Johnson, most of that came in track earnings, with the six-time main champion making $104 million inside the ropes.
For the second year in a row, the football star is topping the charts. Cristiano Ronaldo was named first with earnings of $136 million. Lionel Messi, who had the highest earnings last year, came in second with $130 million, while soccer star Kylian Mbappe came in the top three with $120 million.
Check out the full top 10 below.
Forbes highest paid athletes
1. Cristiano Ronaldo – $136 million
2. Lionel Messi – $130 million
3- Kylian Mbappe – $120 million
4- LeBron James – $119.5 million
5. Canelo Alvarez – $110 million
6- Dustin Johnson – $107 million
7. Phil Mickelson – $106 million
8. Stephen Curry – $100.4 million
9. Roger Federer – $95.1 million
10- Kevin Durant – $89.1 million