Few sports personalities can rival the fame and fortune of Rory McIlroy and Conor McGregor, two of the most renowned sports stars in the world. Both have become familiar names in households worldwide, with McIlroy reigning supreme in the world of golf as a five-time major champion, and McGregor recognised for his tenure as a former multi-weight UFC titleholder.
However, when it comes to their respective net worths, McIlroy's wealth significantly eclipses that of McGregor. With an impressive $104 million earnings from the PGA Tour alone, the Holywood native's estimated net worth stands at a staggering $266M, reports the Irish Mirror.
In contrast, McGregor's wealth is estimated to be around $200M, as per Celebrity Net Worth.
This difference in wealth highlights McIlroy's consistent performance at the top of his sport and his astute business ventures, compared to McGregor's more intermittent, headline-making income sources. McGregor hasn't set foot in the Octagon since 2021, while McIlroy remains a constant presence at the pinnacle of the golf circuit.
McIlroy ranks second in all-time PGA Tour earnings, only trailing behind the legendary Tiger Woods. They are the only two players to have surpassed the $100M mark in prize money, according to the Irish Star.
McIlroy's recent triumph at the 2025 Masters not only secured him a career Grand Slam but also added another $4.2m to his earnings.
Taking into account his three FedEx Cup victories in 2016, 2019, and 2022, which came with bonuses of $10.7M, $16M, and $19.3M respectively, it's easy to see why McIlroy is one of the top earners in the world of golf. However, his income off the green is just as noteworthy.
McIlroy's earnings away from the golf course are equally impressive. His sponsorship deals with global giants such as Nike, Omega, TaylorMade, and Workday reportedly rake in between $42.6M and $53.3M each year, often surpassing his tournament winnings.
The 35-year-old has also dipped his toes into the business world, co-founding TMRW Sports alongside Woods and investing in a range of ventures through his firm Symphony Ventures, including health tech and ticketing platforms like Whoop and TickPick.
Furthermore, McIlroy boasts an impressive property portfolio that includes a $22M luxury mansion in Jupiter, Florida, where he lives with his wife, Erica Stoll, and their four year old daughter, Poppy. He also owns a $13.6M mansion in California, a flat in New York City, and properties in both the UAE and Northern Ireland.
On the other hand, McGregor, at 36, may lag behind financially but has enjoyed some significant single-event paydays - the most notable being the staggering $100M he earned from his boxing match against Floyd Mayweather in 2017. Since his MMA debut in 2008, McGregor has become a box office hit, drawing in substantial fight purses.
The former UFC two-division champion reportedly earned an average of around $5,153,168.20 per fight on his journey to the top. He's also significantly profited from endorsements, particularly his whiskey brand Proper No.Twelve, which sold for an estimated $213M in 2021.
His acting debut in the 2024 film Road House added a further $5.9M to his fortune, setting a record for an athlete's first film role. However, McGregor's income has been more volatile than McIlroy's, and his lavish lifestyle - from designer suits to high-end vehicles and a Lamborghini yacht - sets him apart from the more modest golfer.
The stark financial disparity between the two highlights the different economic realities of golf and MMA. The longevity of careers in golf and its high appeal to sponsors ensure a consistent income - McIlroy's decision to reject a reported offer of $320m-$533m from LIV Golf is evidence of his financial stability.
On the other hand, while MMA can result in massive payouts, it's an unpredictable sport. Fighters like McGregor rely on irregular mega-events without the assurance of regular fights, providing further reason to suggest that a UFC comeback could still be on the cards should he require an additional cash boost.
McIlroy's career is soaring, and his financial standing is expected to strengthen further, cementing his status as Ireland's richest sportsman. So far this year, he has pocketed over $8.7M in tournament earnings, which includes a triumphant stint at Pebble Beach in February ($3.6M) and The Players Championship in March ($4.5M).
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