Golfers
Ernie Els Net Worth
Discover how South African professional golfer Ernie Els has earned his vast net worth as a world-class player and course designer.
| Net Worth: | $85 Million |
|---|---|
| Age: | 56 |
| Born: | October 17, 1969 |
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) |
| Country of Origin: | South Africa |
| Source of Wealth: | Professional Golfer |
| Last Updated: | Sep 15, 2026 |
Ernie Els is a South African professional golfer with an estimated net worth of $85 Million.
This profile highlights our research into Ernie Els’ net worth, PGA Tour winnings, and additional income sources, including his endorsement deals.
Quick Facts
- Lifetime prize money of approximately $60.6 million
- Peak annual winnings of $5.79 million in 2004
- Sponsors included Adams Golf, ECCO footwear, and Puma
Prize Money
| Year | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 1991 | $8,790 |
| 1992 | $18,420 |
| 1993 | $38,185 |
| 1994 | $684,440 |
| 1995 | $842,590 |
| 1996 | $906,944 |
| 1997 | $1,243,008 |
| 1998 | $763,783 |
| 1999 | $1,710,756 |
| 2000 | $3,469,405 |
| 2001 | $2,336,456 |
| 2002 | $3,291,895 |
| 2003 | $3,371,237 |
| 2004 | $5,787,225 |
| 2005 | $1,627,184 |
| 2006 | $2,326,220 |
| 2007 | $2,705,715 |
| 2008 | $2,537,290 |
| 2009 | $2,147,157 |
| 2010 | $4,558,861 |
| 2011 | $948,872 |
| 2012 | $3,453,118 |
| 2013 | $1,173,761 |
| 2014 | $1,799,569 |
| 2015 | $453,579 |
| 2016 | $559,024 |
| 2017 | $155,926 |
| 2018 | $102,868 |
| 2019 | $304,590 |
| 2020 | $2,738,118 |
| 2022 | $1,558,419 |
| 2023 | $2,212,583 |
| 2024 | $2,356,976 |
| 2025 | $2,390,940 |
| Total: | $60,583,904 |
According to the official PGA Tour website, Ernie Els has earned $60.6 million in prize money during his career. The data in the table above has been obtained from his profile on the site, with each year of competition examined.
Early Career Prize Money
In 1991, Ernie’s first year on the PGA Tour, he played on both the Korn Ferry Tour and the PGA Tour, earning a combined $8,790. As he played more PGA Tour events, his income naturally increased, earning $18,420 in 1992 and $38,185 in 1993. The following year was considered his breakout season, during which he competed in 11 events and won his first U.S. Open Championship. This win netted him $320,000 in prize money, bringing his total winnings that year to $684,440.
Throughout the latter half of the decade, Ernie Els’ annual winnings increased gradually. Two of his most lucrative years during the period were 1997 and 1999, when he won $1.24 million and $1.71 million, respectively. The 1999 Nissan Open tournament earned him $504,000, the single-biggest payday of the two years.
Peak Career Winnings
By the end of the 1990s, Ernie Els had already secured $6.2 million in lifetime prize money. However, the 2000s were when his career really began to take off. Over the decade, Ernie typically won at least $2 million in prize money each year. The only exception to this rule was $1.63 million in 2005. However, the year prior was his highest-earning year by far, and it still remains his most lucrative year today.
In 2004, Ernie Els secured $5.79 million in prize money, thanks to three event wins, which were as follows:
- World Golf Championships (American Express) – $1.2 million
- The Memorial Tournament – $945,000
- Sony Open in Hawaii – $864,000
Some of his other big paydays that year included $805,218 for finishing runner-up in The Open Championship and $702,000 for, again, a runner-up finish at the Masters Tournament.
Since the 2000s, Ernie Els’ annual earnings have fluctuated, often exceeding $2 million, but in several years, he has earned only in the low six figures. In a professional golf career spanning four decades, Els has earned $60.6 million in prize money.
Endorsement Deals
Ernie Els made far more money off the course than he did on it, at least as far as our limited information suggests. In 2015, Forbes ranked Els among the world’s highest-paid golfers, with an estimated annual income of $14.1 million. According to the report, just $2.1 million, or 15% of his earnings during the calculated period, came from prize money. The lion’s share ($12 million) was earned from lucrative brand endorsement deals with ECCO and Adams Golf.
Unfortunately, the value of his contracts with each company is unknown, but here’s what we do know. Ernie’s most notable sponsors during his career were related to golf equipment and apparel. This included a multi-year contract he signed with ECCO footwear in 2013 and his role as a PUMA brand ambassador, which commenced in 2019. Outside of these deals, Els has also been sponsored by the following companies:
- Adams Golf
- Boeing
- JONDO (eyewear)
- RBC (Royal Bank of Canada)
- SAP
- SusGlobal Energy (environmental)
Real Estate
In June 2008, Ernie Els paid $11.05 million for a 13,137-square-foot mansion in the sought-after Bears Club neighborhood in Jupiter, Florida. The nine-bedroom, ten-bathroom home is located in the middle of an 18-hole golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus. Els ultimately incurred a loss on this investment when he sold it to Rory McIlroy for $11 million in August 2017.
Golfers
Nick Faldo Net Worth
Retired English golfer Nick Faldo is a former world No. 1 player who has earned millions by winning six major championships.
| Net Worth: | $60 Million |
|---|---|
| Age: | 69 |
| Born: | July 18, 1957 |
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) |
| Country of Origin: | United Kingdom |
| Source of Wealth: | Professional Golfer |
| Last Updated: | Sep 15, 2026 |
Introduction
Nick Faldo is a British former professional golfer with an estimated net worth of $60 Million.
During his time with the PGA and European Tours, Nick Faldo established himself as a strong contender in many of the major championships. While he officially retired in 2015, he continued to serve as a television commentator and golf analyst until 2022 and has since been enjoying full retirement.
In this profile, we’ll discuss our extensive research into Nick Faldo’s net worth, PGA Tour winnings, and endorsement deals. Additionally, we’ll review some events that have negatively affected his finances, including three divorce settlements.
Quick Facts
- Earned $6.1 million in prize money during his career
- Peak annual winnings of $942,000 in 1996
- Secured endorsement deals with Collars & Co., Mizuno, and SQAIRZ
- Reportedly paid roughly $24 million in divorce settlements to two of his ex-wives
- Sold his 6,354-square-foot Florida home for $2.55 million in 2014
Prize Money
| Year | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 1979 | $2,613 |
| 1981 | $35,349 |
| 1982 | $56,667 |
| 1983 | $67,851 |
| 1984 | $166,845 |
| 1985 | $54,060 |
| 1986 | $52,965 |
| 1987 | $36,281 |
| 1988 | $179,120 |
| 1989 | $327,981 |
| 1990 | $345,262 |
| 1991 | $127,156 |
| 1992 | $345,168 |
| 1993 | $188,886 |
| 1994 | $221,146 |
| 1995 | $790,961 |
| 1996 | $942,621 |
| 1997 | $431,326 |
| 1998 | $150,703 |
| 1999 | $221,544 |
| 2000 | $276,583 |
| 2001 | $215,961 |
| 2002 | $321,208 |
| 2003 | $262,258 |
| 2004 | $40,460 |
| 2005 | $184,649 |
| Total: | $6,045,624 |
According to the PGA Tour website, Nick Faldo earned approximately $6.1 million in official money during his career. During this time, he competed on both the PGA Tour and the PGA Tour Champions after turning 50. Almost all of his winnings ( roughly $6.05 million) were derived from the regular circuit. While we would normally write out a separate section for each circuit, it didn’t seem necessary in this instance. Faldo earned just $122,021 in seven years on the Champions circuit.
Endorsement Deals
In addition to his earnings from prize money, Nick Faldo also supplemented his income with several brand endorsements. The most notable of these were his apparel, equipment, and footwear sponsors with ECCO, Mizuno, and TaylorMade. He was also sponsored by Rolex and starred in numerous commercials for Hidden Links.
Divorce Settlements
Nick Faldo has been married four times and divorced thrice. At least two of his divorces significantly affected his net worth, at least based on publicly reported information. The Englishman married his first wife, Melanie Rockall, in 1979, but they separated less than five years later and ultimately divorced. At the time, Faldo was still early in his career and had yet to earn a substantial income from professional golf. Thus, there were never any reports of a settlement.
In 1986, Faldo married Gill Bennett, and together they have three children: Natalie, Matthew, and Georgia. However, the marriage ended in the late 1990s after Faldo began a relationship with American golf student Brenna Cepelak. Their divorce was finalized in 1998, with reports suggesting that Bennett received a £7.5 million settlement (roughly $12 million at the time). This settlement was paid out as follows:
- Lump sum payment – £4 million
- Mansion located next to the Wentworth Golf Club – £3 million
- Pension from Nick Faldo International – £500,000
Following this divorce, Faldo met Valerie Bercher, and the pair were married in 2001. They had one daughter together, Emma Scarlet, but officially divorced in 2006. Coincidentally, reports also suggest that Faldo paid Bercher a similar settlement of $11.8 million.
Real Estate
In August 2006, Nick Faldo paid $2.25 million for a 6,354-square-foot, five-bedroom, five-bathroom home in Winter Park, Florida. This property was built in 1991 and is situated on 0.57 acres.
Faldo owned the house from 2006 until 2014, when he listed it for sale at $2.89 million. After a couple of price reductions, he let it go for just $2.55 million in October that year. While this is technically a $300,000 appreciation, it does not account for his property taxes, which ranged from $22,000 to $32,000 per year. Once you factor in taxes and the agent’s commission, he likely incurred a loss on the investment.
Golfers
Michelle Wie Net Worth
| Net Worth: | $20 Million |
|---|---|
| Age: | 36 |
| Born: | October 11, 1989 |
| Gender: | Female |
| Height: | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) |
| Country of Origin: | Hawaii |
| Source of Wealth: | Professional Golfer |
| Last Updated: | Sep 15, 2026 |
Introduction
Michelle Wie is an American professional golfer with an estimated net worth of $20 Million.
In this profile, we’ll outline our extensive research into Michelle Wie’s net worth, LPGA Tour winnings, endorsement deals, and philanthropic endeavors.
Quick Facts
- Earned $6.8 million in tournament prize money
- Typically earned between $5 million and $10 million annually from endorsements.
- Secured endorsement deals with Nike and Kia
Prize Money
What’s particularly interesting about Michelle Wie’s career earnings is that most of her income comes from endorsement deals, not tournament prize money. According to the official LPGA website, Wie’s total tournament winnings amount to $6.8 million.
In 2009, she earned $918,700 from tournaments, which included $220,000 for winning the Lorena Ochoa Invitational, $118,820 for finishing third at the Sybase Classic, and $108,332 for second place at the SBS Open. Michelle earned similar sums of $888,000 and $627,900, respectively, in 2010 and 2011. Her biggest payday during these two years was $337,500 for winning the CN Canadian Women’s Open.
After a brief slump in 2012 and 2013, she returned in 2014 with a bang, earning $1.9 million in prize money. That year remains her highest-earning year solely in terms of tournament winnings, primarily due to Wie winning the U.S. Women’s Open, for which she earned $720,000. Since then, Michelle’s earnings have varied significantly from year to year. In some years, her winnings totaled under six figures; in other years, she’s earned $556,000 and $930,000.
Nike Endorsement Deal
Already an experienced golfer by the age of 15, Wie made headlines when, in 2005, just before her 16th birthday, she announced her intention to turn professional. As a result, a wave of media attention and endorsement deals followed. In the same year, she signed a four-year sponsorship deal with Nike worth more than $20 million. Wie received $5 million per year, making her the highest-paid female golfer in history at the time. It also set a new standard for women’s sports endorsements, with most of the earnings placed in a trust fund by her parents until she reached the age of 18.
Kia Endorsement Deal
Over the years, Wie’s endorsements grew, and in 2010, she signed a deal with Kia Motors America. The collaboration was a far cry from the athletic wear endorsements of her early career. The financial terms stayed private, though it was clear that the deal was more than just Wie wearing Kia’s logo on her golf attire. She featured highly in their marketing campaigns, becoming central in Kia’s efforts to rebrand itself as a youthful company. Her image appeared in nationwide TV spots during major sporting events, as well as in glossy magazine spreads and digital ads targeting younger, lifestyle-oriented customers. Wie helped Kia position itself as a brand connected to ambition and modern success, and became a valuable brand ambassador.
OXIGEN Partnership
In October 2020, Wie took a very different approach when she joined the team at OXIGEN. The bottled water brand focuses on hydration and recovery, and Wie was named board advisor and equity partner. These roles went far beyond the usual celebrity product endorsement, and she joined other high-profile investors, including NBA stars Stephen Curry and Kevin Love. By taking a stake in the company, Wie had far more to gain than simply promoting the product for a fee. Wie’s investment amount and ownership percentage have never been disclosed; however, her board role suggests that she had a say in the company’s direction and was likely well-compensated.
Philanthropy
Philanthropy has always been part of Wie’s career, and in 2021, she launched the #HoodieForGolf initiative. This campaign was a big success, raising over $350,000 for two charities. The LPGA Renee Powell Fund provides grants to LPGA/USGA Girls Golf programs. The other beneficiary was the Clearview Legacy Foundation, which supports the historic Clearview Golf Club in East Canton, Ohio. The course is the only one that has been owned, designed, built, and operated by an African American family. The foundation works to preserve the club’s legacy and promote diversity and inclusion in the game of golf.
In 2006, Illinois teen athlete Travis Hearn suffered a terrible injury during a high school football game. He was left paralyzed, and after Wie found that he had no medical insurance, she donated $25,000 to help him out.
Building on these values, in 2008, Wie founded the Michelle Wie Foundation to support youth, education, and golf development. Hawaii, Wie’s home state, has been one of the primary beneficiaries. The Hawaii Junior Golf Association has received grants to help their young players cover the costs of lessons, equipment, and travel to tournaments.
In response to the 2023 wildfires in Hawaii, Wie designed a special bracelet in collaboration with Wove Made, a company specializing in custom, fine jewelry. All proceeds went to the Hawaii Community Foundation for wildfire relief. This initiative alone raised $53,000 for relief efforts. The LPGA also supported her efforts, contributing $25,000 to wildfire relief and pledging an additional $125,000 to Friends of Hawaii Charities.
Real Estate
Not much is known about Wie’s real estate investments, except for the home she shares with her husband. They bought a property in the Amestoy Estates neighborhood of Encino, California, in November 2021 for $5.7 million.
The estate has six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and 5,798 square feet of living space. The property features a guest house with its own kitchen and family room, an eight-person movie theater, a large pool, a fire pit, and an outdoor kitchen. It also has a three-car garage, a pizza oven, and a barbecue station. The home is equipped with modern technology, including automated blinds, security cameras, and indoor-outdoor speakers.
The property was listed for sale in early 2024 with an asking price of $6,495,000 and was sold for $6,025,000; however, the reason for the sale was unclear. Michelle retired from the LPGA Tour in 2023, which may have prompted a change in lifestyle or living situation. However, the sale date and her next property investment have not yet been made public.
Golfers
Hideki Matsuyama Net Worth
Exploring the PGA Tour championship wins that helped Japanese professional golfer Hideki Matsuyama earn his net worth.
| Net Worth: | $35 Million |
|---|---|
| Age: | 34 |
| Born: | February 25, 1992 |
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) |
| Country of Origin: | Japan |
| Source of Wealth: | Professional Golfer |
| Last Updated: | Sep 15, 2026 |
Hideki Matsuyama is a Japanese professional golfer with an estimated net worth of $35 Million.
Since turning pro in 2013, Hideki Matsuyama has played 14 years of professional golf, participating in 292 events and recording 19 wins. He’s earned $64.2 million in prize money throughout his career, which equates to approximately $4.57 million/year and $219,623/event.
In this profile, we’ll highlight our research on Hideki Matsuyama’s net worth, PGA Tour earnings, and other income sources.
Quick Facts
- Earned a total of $64.2 million in official prize money
- Typically earns upwards of $20 million per year off the course
- Sponsors include ANA, Lexus, Srixon, and Tokyo Electron
Prize Money
| Year | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 2013 | $690,473 |
| 2014 | $2,837,477 |
| 2015 | $3,758,619 |
| 2016 | $4,193,954 |
| 2017 | $8,380,569 |
| 2018 | $2,687,477 |
| 2019 | $3,335,137 |
| 2020 | $3,665,825 |
| 2021 | $4,963,594 |
| 2022 | $5,776,298 |
| 2023 | $3,874,772 |
| 2024 | $11,257,969 |
| 2025 | $6,650,152 |
| 2026 | $2,053,970 |
| Total: | $64,126,287 |
According to the PGA Tour website, Hideki Matsuyama has earned approximately $64.2 million in official prize money during his career. This figure excludes winnings from unofficial tournaments, though information on said events can be found on the PGA website.
Endorsement Deals
In 2025, Forbes listed Hideki Matsuyama among the world’s highest-paid golfers, with an estimated annual income of $42 million. The bulk of this figure ($25 million) was derived from income earned off-course. So, how did he earn this much money without picking up a club?
At the time, there were just four male Japanese golfers on the PGA Tour, with Matsuyama the most successful. Naturally, as we’ve seen with other sports such as tennis, this makes him a prime target for Japanese sponsors. While we don’t have details on his contracts with said sponsors, we do have a list of all the brands he’s worked with:
- ANA (All Nippon Airways)
- Lexus (automobile)
- Nomura Financial
- NTT Data (technology)
- Oakley (eyewear)
- Rolex (luxury watchmaker)
- Srixon (golf equipment)
- Tokyo Electron
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