The world of professional golf is now divided into two camps: LIV Golf and PGA Tour. The top golfers of these two leagues are surely Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm. McIlroy has been loyal to the PGA Tour, and Rahm joined LIV Golf. While these golfers play on different Tours, the comparison of their net worth will give us a fascinating preview of their financial achievements.

McIlroy has earned a net worth of about $170 million, per Celebrity Net Worth,  at the age of 35. He is popular for his commitment to the PGA Tour; he has successfully played and earned about $90,448,748 from official PGA Tour tournaments. Nike and TaylorMade are some of the brands endorsed by McIlroy, and these are said to generate about $40 million every year.

On the other hand, Rahm is worth approximately $100 million, as per Celebrity Net Worth, thanks to the recent $540 million deal with LIV Golf. This golfer has earned over $77 million from professional golf, out of which $52,055,684 came from the PGA Tour. Endorsement deals with Callaway, Rolex, and VistaJet, among other brands have also helped the golfer reach the financial zenith. But why did Rahm join LIV Golf and leave the PGA Tour behind?

On his defection, Rahm confessed, “At the end of the day, I did what I thought was best for me and my family.” This decision has certainly boosted his earnings, and he is now the 2nd highest-paid athlete in the world as ranked by Forbes. Talking about the possible return to the PGA Tour, Rahm, “It’s no secret that there’s some venues that I miss being at.” He then added, “I still love the PGA Tour, and I still hope at some point I can compete there again.” 

Northern Irishman’s loyalty towards the American Tour has been greatly appreciated as he received $50 million as part of the golf circuit’s new equity payment plan for loyal players. Breaking silence on his defection rumors, McIlroy said, “My future is here on the PGA Tour, and it’s never been any different.”

We can say that although Rahm did sign a very lucrative deal with a Saudi-funded league, and he might be the highest-paid golfer at the time, but net worth comparison-wise, McIlroy is richer. Next, let’s look at their lives as golfers.

What lives do Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy have beyond the greens?

The two golfers live luxurious lives with beautiful homes and fancy cars. Rory McIlroy resides in a $11 million mansion in Jupiter, Florida. He has a collection of fast cars in his garage, such as the BMW i8 and the Lamborghini Aventador. McIlroy has also shown his business acumen through his investments in Alpine F1 and Symphony Ventures. Scottsdale, Arizona, is the place where Jon Rahm lives. He is usually seen driving his Mercedes-Benz G-Class car.

Northern Irishman has stakes in technology firms such as Whoop. He has partnered with Tiger Woods at TMRW Sports to introduce a technology-infused golf league, TGL, to prime-time TV. Both golfers are also involved in charity in one way or another. McIlroy contributed $5 million for COVID relief.

As we look to the future, which strategy will pay off more: Rory McIlroy’s decision to remain loyal to the PGA Tour or Rahm’s agreement to join LIV Golf? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.