Net Worth Ranker
What Is Rory McIlroy’s Net Worth?
Rory McIlroy, a professional golfer hailing from Northern Ireland, has amassed a significant net worth estimated at $170 million. This substantial wealth is a result of his successful golfing career, lucrative endorsement deals, and strategic investments. He has spent over 100 weeks ranked as the world’s number-one professional golfer, contributing significantly to his financial success.
Career Earnings and Endorsements
McIlroy’s career earnings exceed $125 million, making him one of the highest-paid athletes globally. He consistently earns between $40 million and $50 million annually through tournament winnings and endorsements. In 2022 alone, McIlroy earned over $40 million, bolstered by his Tour Championship victory, which included an $18 million bonus. By the age of 22, Rory had become the youngest golfer to earn €10 million on the European Tour, and later, the youngest to reach $10 million on the PGA Tour by 2012.
His endorsements contribute significantly to his annual income. In 2013, SportsPro recognized him as the “third most marketable athlete in the world.” He has secured several high-value endorsement deals, including a rumored deal with Nike in 2013, potentially valued between $100 million and $250 million. In 2017, he officially signed a 10-year extension with Nike worth $200 million. When Nike ceased golf equipment production, McIlroy secured a separate equipment endorsement deal with TaylorMade worth $100 million. In 2016, McIlroy won the FedEx Cup, earning a $10 million bonus, and in 2019, he won the FedEx Cup again, securing a record-breaking $15 million payout. Between June 2017 and June 2018, McIlroy earned $40 million from salary and endorsements, a figure matched in the subsequent period of 2018-2019. This made him the sixth-highest-paid athlete in the world that year, largely due to his endorsement deals. In the following 12-month period, his earnings reached $50 million. In August 2022, he secured his third Tour Championship, earning an $18 million bonus.
Early Life and Career Milestones
Born on May 4, 1989, in Holywood, Northern Ireland, Rory McIlroy started playing golf at a young age. His father, a skilled golfer, provided early instruction. McIlroy became the youngest member of his local golf club at age seven. His family prioritized his golfing development, making financial sacrifices to ensure he received the best training. This included sending him to the World Championship for boys aged 9 and 10 at the Doral Golf Resort in Miami, where he won the tournament.
By age 15, McIlroy had won the Junior Ryder Cup in 2004 with the European team. He secured championships across Ireland and, in 2005, became the youngest winner of the West of Ireland Championship and the Irish Close Championship. In 2006, he won the European Amateur. McIlroy’s early career included participation in the Walker Cup, the British Masters, the Dubai Desert Classic, and the Open Championship.
Turning professional in 2007, McIlroy quickly rose through the ranks. By early 2008, he was among the top 200 golfers globally. In 2009, he won the Dubai Desert Classic, elevating him to the 16th spot in world rankings. He debuted at the Masters Tournament that year, finishing 20th. By the end of 2009, he was ranked among the top ten globally. In 2010, McIlroy won his first PGA Tour event at the Quail Hollow Championship, becoming the youngest golfer since Tiger Woods to achieve this feat before the age of 21. After setting a first-round record at the Old Course at St. Andrews, he finished 2010 ranked seventh in the world.
In 2011, McIlroy bounced back from a disappointing final round at the Masters Tournament with a dominant victory at the US Open, winning by eight strokes and securing a world ranking of fourth. In 2012, he finished second at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, becoming the world’s number two-ranked golfer. That year, he also won the Honda Classic, achieving the top spot for the first time. 2013 and early 2014 saw some setbacks, but he rebounded with wins at the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool and the PGA Championship. In 2015, he won the Omega Dubai Desert Classic for a second time. After further wins, he joined a group of only three professional golfers who had won ten PGA tour events and four majors by the age of 25. After further wins in 2016, McIlroy experienced a winless streak during 2017. In 2018, he was part of the European team that won the Ryder Cup. He won the Players Championship in 2019 and regained the number-one spot on the world rankings in 2020. In 2022, McIlroy came in second place at the Masters, and in 2023, Rory started the year by winning the Hero Dubai Desert Classic on the European Tour. In July 2023, Rory won the Scottish Open.
Real Estate Holdings
McIlroy’s real estate portfolio includes significant properties. In 2013, he purchased a home in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, for approximately $9.5 million, later selling it in November 2018 for $11.5 million. In 2017, he acquired a 2.4-acre property in Jupiter, Florida, for $10 million, located within the guard-gated Bear’s Club golf community. This property features a 9,000-square-foot mansion, originally built in 2002 and previously owned by former PGA star Ernie Els. His former home in Moneyreagh, near Belfast, featured a custom-made practice facility and a scaled-down football pitch and was put on the market in September 2012 for $2.5 million.
Personal Life
Rory McIlroy began dating Erica Stoll, a former PGA of America employee, in 2015, after they met at the 2012 Ryder Cup. They became engaged in December 2015 in Paris and married in April 2017 at Ashford Castle in Cong, County Mayo. Together, they have a daughter. However, in May 2024, the couple announced their decision to divorce.
