Top 5 highest-paid golfers at the 2025 Ryder Cup: Earnings and prizes revealed

The Ryder Cup has always been about pride, rivalry, and history. But when the world’s best golfers gather for the biennial event, there’s no ignoring the staggering financial clout they bring with them. While the competition itself offers no prize money, the players who make it to Bethpage Black in New York this year are already among the sport’s richest. In fact, the 24 golfers competing have combined earnings of more than half a billion dollars in the last 12 months alone, with five of them standing far ahead of the rest.
Jon Rahm leads the pack of top earnersAt the top of the list is Spain’s Jon Rahm, with an estimated $99 million in earnings over the past year. A captain’s pick for Team Europe, Rahm continues to be one of golf’s most marketable names despite his controversial move to LIV Golf in late 2023. That deal came with a reported $300 million guarantee, part of which still flows into his earnings today.

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Off the course, he maintains partnerships with Callaway , Rolex , and Openbank, keeping his brand strong. While Rahm didn’t collect a single tournament win in 2025, his steady play earned him LIV’s season-long title, worth $18 million.
Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy chase close behindJust behind Rahm is world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. His $90 million haul reflects both dominant play and a growing off-course profile. In 2025, Scheffler won six tournaments and finished atop the PGA Tour money list for the fourth consecutive year. His streak at the top of the world rankings now stretches to 123 straight weeks. Endorsements with Nike, TaylorMade, and Veritex Bank, plus an appearance in Netflix’s Happy Gilmore 2, have boosted his off-course income.

Rory McIlroy sits third on the list at $87 million, and his 2025 season has been nothing short of remarkable. He finally completed the career Grand Slam by winning the Masters in April, calling this year potentially “the best year of my career.” His Ryder Cup résumé already includes five wins, and at 36, he remains a key leader for Europe. Off the course, McIlroy continues to be golf’s most influential business voice.

Also Read: How Rory McIlroy became the center of attention at the Ryder Cup: Full story behind the drama

The top five is rounded out by two Americans. Bryson DeChambeau brought in $44 million, thanks largely to LIV Golf prize money and his growing digital presence, including a booming YouTube channel with more than 2.4 million subscribers. Justin Thomas followed with $38 million, boosted by his RBC Heritage win that ended a long drought and by endorsements with brands like FootJoy and Greyson Clothiers. Thomas also launched his own sunscreen brand, WearSPF, adding another layer to his off-course success.

As the Ryder Cup unfolds, it’s clear that while national pride is the focus, the financial stature of its players is impossible to overlook. The five highest earners, Rahm, Scheffler, McIlroy, DeChambeau, and Thomas- have combined for nearly $360 million in the past year alone. For them, the competition is less about money and more about legacy, but their bank accounts show just how much the modern game rewards its stars.