Phil Mickelson of the United States has been revealed as the all-time leader in prize money earnings at the Masters, the first major championship of the men's golf season.
U.S. business magazine Forbes on Tuesday calculated and released the top 20 all-time Masters prize money rankings. According to the list, Mickelson, a three-time champion at the tournament, ranks first. Mickelson earned $9.87 million (approximately 14.67 billion won) across 32 appearances at the Masters.
Tiger Woods ranks second on the all-time Masters earnings list with a total of $9.64 million. Woods has more victories than Mickelson with five titles, but made fewer appearances at 26. Third is last year's champion Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland with $8.54 million. McIlroy, who received $4.2 million in prize money for his victory last year, could potentially rise to the top of the all-time Masters earnings list depending on his performance this year. Neither Mickelson nor Woods will compete at this year's Masters.
Scottie Scheffler of the United States, the world's No. 1-ranked men's golfer, placed fourth with $8.05 million. Scheffler has claimed two victories in just six Masters appearances, earning a spot near the top of the earnings rankings. Justin Rose of England, whose best results in 20 Masters appearances are three runner-up finishes, ranks fifth in earnings with $6.69 million.
Jack Nicklaus, who holds the record for the most Masters victories with six titles, does not even appear in the top 20 of the all-time earnings rankings. When Nicklaus first won the Masters in 1963, the winner's prize was only $20,000, and even at his final victory in 1986, the purse was just $144,000.