In a year defined by two competing golf worlds, no comparison captures the economic divide better than Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy.

One played fewer events for bigger cheques; the other stayed loyal to the traditional grind of the PGA Tour. Their 2025 earnings don’t just show who made more; they show how tour choice now shapes a golfer’s entire financial outlook.

Bryson DeChambeau’s 2025 Earnings: LIV Golf Leads the Way

Bryson DeChambeau didn’t just make noise with his towering drives in 2025. He made headlines with his bank balance. And the numbers behind his season tell a story few golfers in history can match.

DeChambeau made an unbelievable $13,757,560 in one season based on the 2025 LIV Golf campaign single-season earnings he reported. It is not a mistake. It is the combination of LIV's money distribution and Bryson's skill that makes this possible. 

Rory McIlroy’s 2025 Earnings: PGA Tour Consistency and Major Pressure

Rory McIlroy remained committed to the PGA Tour in 2025, and his earnings reflected the traditional reward pattern of golf’s longest-standing circuit. Based purely on PGA Tour and major payouts listed for the 2025 season, McIlroy earned $16,992,418.

Different Tours, Different Rewards

Bryson earned his $13.7 million in far fewer starts than Rory, making his per-event value dramatically higher. McIlroy, on the other hand, built his fortune this year through the traditional model. Playing more tournaments, targeting Signature Events, and performing on major stages where the pressure is exponentially higher.

Both players made serious money, but the effort-to-return ratio highlights why so many players are tempted by LIV's model and why the PGA Tour’s ecosystem is under more scrutiny than ever.

Bryson showcased how the LIV structure amplifies star power: fewer events, massive upside. Rory proved that on the PGA Tour, great seasons still deliver industry-leading payouts but only if you’re consistently elite for months at a time.

The financial takeaway is simple: 2025 didn’t crown one winner; it revealed two completely different ways to win. And that contrast is exactly why the DeChambeau–McIlroy comparison has become the defining economic storyline of the season.

As golf’s financial landscape continues to split, it leaves a bigger question for fans. Which tour do you believe represents the future of the sport? Do tell your views.

Written by

Dolly Bhamrick

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar