Rory McIlroy is getting closer and closer to reaching a record that for years seemed untouchable. The Northern Irishman, who recently won the Masters Tournament once again, is only a few million dollars away from surpassing Tiger Woods as the player with the highest career earnings from prize money in the history of the PGA Tour. The gap between the two has narrowed dramatically, and the current landscape seems to favor a change at the top in a ranking that had been dominated by Woods for decades.

The distance separating McIlroy from the historic mark is minimal. Since turning professional in 2007, the European has earned $114.7 million in prize money, while Tiger Woods remains at the top with $121 million collected over a thirty-year career. However, the American is going through a long period away from top-level competition, while McIlroy is enjoying one of the strongest and most profitable moments of his career.

The year that could change PGA Tour history

2026 appears to be the ideal moment for McIlroy to complete the overtake. Tiger Woods has earned just $211,600 since the pandemic, reflecting both his physical struggles and his limited appearances on the golf course. His recent personal issues and the uncertainty surrounding his competitive return suggest that he will struggle to defend his place at the top of the PGA Tour earnings ranking.

In contrast, McIlroy is going through a period of tremendous consistency. In 2025 alone, he earned $17 million in prize money, the highest figure of his entire career. That performance, combined with his recent titles and his ability to remain among the best players on the circuit, has allowed him to rapidly close in on Woods’ record. Beyond the money, the possibility of surpassing him also symbolizes a generational shift in world golf, where McIlroy has established himself as one of the defining figures of his era.

Scottie Scheffler and the Spanish players are also climbing the rankings

The historical earnings podium on the PGA Tour also reflects the rise of Scottie Scheffler. The American currently sits in third place with $105.7 million in career earnings and has become a direct threat to both Woods and McIlroy. Scheffler is the only golfer to have surpassed the $20 million mark in a single season, and his recent figures explain why many project him as a future leader of this ranking.

Among the Spanish players, Sergio García remains the highest-ranked. The golfer from Castellón has earned $55.1 million thanks to his eleven victories and a twenty-seven-year professional career, placing him 19th in the all-time rankings. Right behind him is Jon Rahm with $53.6 million, although his current earnings in LIV Golf are not included in the PGA Tour figures. Further down the list are José María Olazábal, Rafa Cabrera, Miguel Ángel Jiménez, and Gonzalo Fernández, all of whom have managed to surpass the one-million-dollar mark in official prize money.