In a thrilling showdown at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Russell Henley emerged victorious, marking the apex event of his career. The victory didn’t come easily, though. Henley had to outshine Collin Morikawa, a two-time major winner, in a nail-biting finish. While the two may not seem evenly matched to the casual observer – Morikawa’s star often outshining Henley’s – their career earnings tell a different story.
The pivotal moment of the tournament came at the 16th hole, where Henley’s phenomenal chip shot put him in the lead over Morikawa. Not one to buckle under pressure, Henley held his ground over the remaining two holes, denying Morikawa the chance to secure his first win since the 2023 Zozo Championship.
Henley’s triumph at the Arnold Palmer Invitational has pushed his PGA Tour victories to five, making him a strong contender for a spot in Keegan Bradley’s Ryder Cup team for Bethpage. This win also underlines an often overlooked aspect of golf – it’s not just about winning titles, it’s also about the financial gains.
The Arnold Palmer Invitational, with its $20 million prize pool, saw Henley pocket a cool $4 million, further boosting his career earnings. Despite falling short, Morikawa didn’t walk away empty-handed, securing over $2 million to add to his financial portfolio.
The financial aspect of golf often takes the backseat to championship titles, but a glance at Henley’s career earnings paints an impressive picture. Having never clinched a major or a signature event previously, his accumulated $37,473,215 on the PGA Tour is noteworthy. Morikawa, with his $39,762,421, is only slightly ahead of Henley.
It’s worth noting, however, that Henley’s career spans seven more years than Morikawa’s, and he’s participated in more than twice as many events (296 to Morikawa’s 125). Regardless, it’s commendable that Henley has achieved such an impressive financial record, given his relatively low-profile status in the golfing world.
However, both Henley and Morikawa have some distance to cover to join the elite club of the highest earners on the PGA Tour. The legendary Tiger Woods leads the pack with over $120 million in career earnings. Rory McIlroy trails Woods, having netted $95 million on the PGA Tour, and an additional $65 million on the DP World Tour.
To break into the top ten highest earners on the PGA Tour, both Henley and Morikawa need to exceed the $61 million mark, currently held by Justin Thomas. With their recent performances and growing reputations, it will be interesting to see how their careers – and earnings – continue to evolve.