Jon Rahm is the 2nd highest paid athlete in the world – REPORT

Jon Rahm, the Spanish golf star, has made headlines again. This time, it’s for his amazing rise to become the second-highest-paid athlete in the world, according to the latest Forbes list. The 29-year-old’s decision to join the controversial LIV Golf league in December 2023 has paid off big time, with his total earnings reaching an estimated (yet astonishing) $218 million over the past year.

Jon Rahm’s move to LIV Golf didn’t go over well with everyone. He’d said he’d stay with the PGA Tour, no matter what the Saudi-backed league offered. However, the reported $350 million contract was just too good to turn down, and Rahm became one of the latest high-profile golfers to make the switch.

The Spaniard has been a dominant force on the PGA Tour, winning six times and earning over $36 million in prize money. His biggest win came at the 2023 Masters, where he got his first green jacket and proved he’s one of the best players in the world.

Jon Rahm‘s been pretty consistent in his game, as you can see from his seven top-10 finishes in as many LIV Golf events since he joined the tour. However, his performance in major championships hasn’t been as strong as we’ve come to expect. He finished 45th in his Masters title defense and missed the cut at the PGA Championship.

The Forbes List and Jon Rahm’s Earnings

The Forbes list, which tracks income earned between May 1, 2023, and May 1, 2024, has put Rahm in second place, just behind soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who tops the list with $260 million in total earnings. Jon Rahm‘s $218 million haul is proof that his big contract with LIV Golf is paying off. $198 million of that is from play-related earnings, while another $20 million is from endorsements and sponsorships.

It’s worth noting that Jon Rahm’s inclusion on the list is particularly noteworthy given his previous stance on LIV Golf. After the 2022 US Open, Rahm said that a $400 million offer wouldn’t change his lifestyle. He said he was more interested in history and legacy than money. However, the lure of the LIV Golf contract proved too strong to resist, and Rahm’s decision to join the league has paid off handsomely.

While Rahm’s earnings are impressive, he’s not the only golfer on the Forbes list. Rory McIlroy, who’s been pretty vocal about his dislike of LIV Golf, comes in at 19th with total earnings of $80.1 million. Even though he didn’t win any more majors, McIlroy is still one of the most marketable players in golf. He makes over half his money from off-course ventures.

Tiger Woods, who’s been dealing with injuries lately, is 23rd on the list with total earnings of $67.2 million. Even though he hasn’t played much golf, Woods still makes a lot of money off the course. His earnings of $55 million put him among the highest-paid athletes in the world.

Scottie Scheffler, the current World No. 1, rounds out the list of golfers, coming in at 29th with total earnings of $59.2 million. Scheffler’s on-course success, which includes four wins in 2024, has accounted for $39.2 million of his earnings.

Jon Rahm’s appearance on the Forbes list has reignited the debate about the future of LIV Golf and its relationship with the PGA Tour. Even though he’s been suspended by the PGA Tour, Rahm says he still considers himself a member of the tour and supports the idea of a merger between the two leagues.

As the golfing world continues to grapple with the implications of LIV Golf’s emergence, one thing is clear: Jon Rahm has firmly established himself as one of the highest-paid athletes in the world. His decision to join LIV Golf may have been controversial, but it has undoubtedly paid off for him both financially and in terms of his global profile.