Rory McIlroy Becomes European Tour's Leading Money Winner

The four-time major winner's T2 finish at Carnoustie propelled him to the number one spot

Rory McIlroy Becomes European Tour's Leading Money Winner

The four-time major winner's T2nd finish at Carnoustie means he overtakes Lee Westwood

Rory McIlroy Becomes European Tour's Leading Money Winner

Rory McIlroy has overtaken Lee Westwood as the European Tour's all-time leading money winner after a T2nd finish at The Open.

The four-time major winner came close at Carnoustie but ultimately two short of winner Francesco Molinari.

McIlroy has, however, overtaken Lee Westwood to become the European Tour's leading career money winner.

He was around €500,000 short of Westwood heading into the week but picked up just shy of €600,000 for his efforts, whilst Lee Westwood won around €21,000.

McIlroy ended the week at -6 with Westwood in a tie for 61st place at +6.

Rory's Open finish takes his tally to €35,110,780 in career earnings on the European Tour, where he has won 13 times including Race to Dubai victories in 2012, 2014 and 2015.

Rory McIlroy won his third Race to Dubai title in 2015

Westwood's career earnings are at €34,777,910 on the European Tour.

The Englishman has won 23 times on the European Tour which includes an Order of Merit victory in 2000 and a Race to Dubai title in 2009.

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McIlroy's earnings on the PGA Tour stand at $39.9m.

The pair of former world number ones are well clear of the European Tour's third-highest earner Ernie Els who has picked up €28.6m on the European Tour throughout his career.

The Big Easy has won 28 times on the European Tour.

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Sergio Garcia is fourth with €28.1m whilst Henrik Stenson is fifth, just €100,000 behind Garcia.

Open Champion Francesco Molinari is in 13th position with career earnings on the European Tour of €20.8m.

Molinari won $1.89m for victory at Carnoustie - see the full prize money breakdown here.

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Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!


Elliott is currently playing:


Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV