How Rory McIlroy Became The Highest Masters Earner Of All Time

The Masters and Rory McIlroy have been inextricably linked since the Northern Irishman lifted The Open Championship in 2014.

For more than a decade, McIlroy's desire to complete the career grand slam had seemingly consumed him and it was regularly earmarked as one of the few remaining goals he had yet to tick off.

Even before that, the World No.2 had his chance to create history when blowing a sizable advantage at Augusta National in 2011.

Between that fateful day and 14 years later, McIlroy had several chances to remove the monkey from his back. Yet, fate would always intervene to ensure it never happened.

Nevertheless, his time would come and that first Masters victory finally arrived in 2025. Then, as is so often the way, a second triumph followed a mere 12 months later.

McIlroy's first Masters win brought him so many of the perks he had always longed for - none more so than a maiden Green Jacket.

It also led to a winner's check of $4.2 million, which isn't a bad addition if you ask me.

As a result of that significant addition to his bank balance, McIlroy rocketed up the list featuring the highest Masters earners of all time and into third behind Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson at the top.

That was before his second Masters victory in 2026. The Masters announced its total payout at the 90th playing had been increased from $21 million to $22.5 million, with a $4.5 million prize awaiting the winner.

Therefore, in the space of just over a year, McIlroy's total earnings at Augusta National exploded from a modest $4.3 million in 16 starts to a shade above $13 million - making him the highest earner in Masters history.

As an aside, Scottie Scheffler - who was runner-up in 2026 and had already won in both 2022 and 2024 - is now second on the all-time earning list at Augusta National with more than $10 million picked up at the year's first men's Major.

Mainly due to the never-ending increase of modern-day purses, as well as natural inflation, the list of highest earners at The Masters is dominated by active professionals.

Jack Nicklaus has won the most Masters titles ever with six, yet his half a dozen victories between 1963-1986 secured him just $269,000.

Even with the rest of his 37 made cuts included, the Golden Bear didn't even come close to collecting seven figures from the Augusta National championship.

Meanwhile, with the exception of Justin Rose, every other man in the top-10 has competed at and won The Masters since 2010.

However, no one has won more money than McIlroy at The Masters in the tournament's entire history.

TOP-10 HIGHEST EARNERS IN MASTERS HISTORY

RORY MCILROY CAREER MASTERS EARNINGS