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If there was ever a time to be a professional golfer, it’s now.

With prize purses and sign-on bonuses at an all-time high, the game has never been in a more lucrative stage.

And Jon Rahm has proved it’s not all about winning, either, as the Spaniard has made golf history with his eye-watering earnings over the last 12 months.

Despite not lifting a trophy since the 2023 Masters, Rahm has raked in a staggering $218 million in earnings, according to Forbes, making him the second-highest paid athlete in the world.

In their annual rich list, Forbes reports that the 29-year-old scooped $198 million in on-course earnings and $20 million off-course.

It goes without saying that Rahm’s decision to join LIV Golf has been profitable, but it’s also etched his name into the history books.

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Only topped by Cristiano Ronaldo, Rahm’s earnings figure is the highest ever total for a golfer.

Fellow LIV golfer Dustin Johnson held the previous record with $111 million ($106 million on course/$5 million off course) in 2023, edging Phil Mickelson by $4 million.

However, Rahm has blown the breakaway stars out of the water by almost doubling Johnson’s wages.

The Saudi-backed circuit, bankrolled by the Public Investment Fund and fronted by major champion Greg Norman, has played its part in the astronomical earnings.

Rahm was reportedly guaranteed $350 million for signing with the start-up league, half of which, Forbes estimates, he received upfront.

The LIV payday catapulted Rahm from No. 23 to No. 2 in the Forbes list within one year.

He was also named captain of the new LIV team Legion XIII – a role that traditionally offers a 25% equity stake in the league’s franchises.

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From seven tournaments on LIV Golf in 2024, Rahm has earned $6.6 million which, as of May 13, would place him sixth on the PGA Tour’s 2024 official money list.

Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy was the only other golfer to be named in the top 20 highest-paid athletes, with Tiger Woods (23), Scottie Scheffler (29) and Cameron Smith (43) inside the top 50.

The world’s highest-paid golfers 2024

Jon Rahm – $218 million ($198 million on-course / $20 million off-course)

Rory McIlroy – $80.1 million ($35.1 million on-course / $45 million off-course)

Tiger Woods – $67.2 million ($12.2 million on-course / $55 million off-course)

Scottie Scheffler – $59.2 million ($39.2 million on-course / $20 million off-course)

Cameron Smith – $48 million ($44 million on-course / $4 million off-course)

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John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.

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