Rory McIlroy is not just leaving Augusta with another green jacket. He is also walking away with an even bigger place in golf history. After edging out the field in a dramatic Masters finish, McIlroy added another massive payday to his career earnings total, putting him closer than ever to catching Tiger Woods on the all-time money list.
It is a huge swing from where things looked just a day earlier, when McIlroy had let a big lead slip and suddenly found himself fighting just to stay level with the pack. But when it mattered most, he found another gear and delivered in the final round. Now, alongside the trophy and all the praise, McIlroy has also taken another major step toward one of the few milestones Woods still holds over the rest of the golf world.
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McIlroy closing in on Woods was reported by Front Office Sports on X who said, “Rory McIlroy wins back-to-back Masters titles, joining Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods. The record $4.5 million winner’s check raises his career earnings to $114.69 million, now just $6.3 million behind Tiger for the most all-time.”
A Historic Win for Rory McIlroy in More Ways Than One
Rory McIlroy is now getting closer and closer to one of the few career marks still held by Tiger Woods. After surviving a dramatic Sunday at Augusta and winning his second straight Masters title, McIlroy picked up another enormous payday that moved him within striking distance of Woods on the PGA Tour’s all-time earnings list.
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For a while, it looked like McIlroy might let this one slip away. He had completely dominated the first half of the tournament and built a huge cushion, but things tightened up after a rough Saturday and an uneven start to the final round. Suddenly, players like Scottie Scheffler and Cameron Young were right there, and the pressure was back on.
Rory McIlroy celebrates after winning the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. April 12, 2026; Augusta, Georgia. Katie Goodale-Imagn Images
Still, McIlroy managed to steady himself when it mattered most. A couple of big birdies in the middle of the round helped him regain control, and even after making things interesting late, he did just enough to finish one shot clear of Scheffler.
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The victory earned McIlroy $4.5 million, the biggest winner’s check in Masters history, and pushed his official career prize money total beyond $115 million. Woods is still the only player ahead of him at around $121 million, but that gap is no longer very big.
At this point, McIlroy is not just building on an already great career. He is putting himself in position to start passing some of golf’s biggest legends.
Related: Scottie Scheffler Continues Historic Streak in 2026 Masters
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the Golf section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.