Rory McIlroy’s decision to snub LIV Golf and remain on the PGA Tour has proven fruitful as the Irishman has only earned less than two LIV rebels so far this year. McIlroy has once again failed to win any of the majors this year but has still banked a sizeable amount in prize money.
The 35-year-old was one of the players who has opted against joining the controversial Saudi Arabia-backed breakaway tour since it was formed in 2022. The likes of Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau have all joined LIV.
Stars who departed the PGA Tour were signed to mega-money contracts and are among golf’s top earners. However, McIlroy has remained high on the list of the sport’s list of best-paid players.
The four-time major winner has banked just over £8million ($10.35m) in prize money this year, according to the PGA’s data. Of the LIV Golf rebels, only Joaquin Niemann and Sergio Garcia have taken home more this year.
Niemann has earned £9.8m ($12.6m) this year, while Garcia’s earnings amount to £8.34m ($10.77m). Only four events remain on the LIV Golf tour before their season comes to a close, meaning the duo may not be that far ahead of McIlroy in the prize money rankings by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, McIlroy endured another tough time at The Open Championship last week. It came just weeks after he was also devastated to miss out on winning the US Open. His search for another major championship will enter a second decade, having not won one since 2014.
However, despite the frustration of struggling to end his major drought, McIlroy has insisted that there is plenty to play for.
“I feel like I say this every Open Championship, but it’s not as if we only play four events a year,” McIlroy, who jetted out to Portugal after leaving Royal Troon, said.
“We play like 25, so there’s still a few things there’s left to play for. Obviously the majors have come and gone, but (I can) sort of refocus and try to reset for the Olympics, which will be another cool experience and try to play well there.
“And then again, I’m in contention to try to win both [money list] titles on either side of the Atlantic, so still some things to play for until the end of the year.”