Rory McIlroy has amassed substantial wealth throughout his golf career, but his fortune is dwarfed by that of fellow PGA Championship competitor Maverick McNealy, who stands to inherit a multi-billion-dollar empire. The 30-year-old golfer is the son of Scott McNealy, co-founder of Sun Microsystems, which was sold for an eye-watering $7.4 billion (£5.4 billion).
McNealy's Background and Career
Despite his privileged upbringing, McNealy has forged his own path. He nearly followed his father into business but instead turned professional in 2017 after being considered the most promising golf talent in 2016. He secured his first PGA Tour victory at the RSM Classic in 2024. Now, aiming for an upset at Aronimink Golf Club, he faces reigning champion Scottie Scheffler and two-time Masters champion Rory McIlroy.
McIlroy's Earnings and Net Worth
A win for the Northern Irishman would bring him closer to Tiger Woods' record as the highest earner in PGA Tour history. Woods, a 15-time major winner, earned $121 million (£89 million) in prize money. McIlroy has banked $114 million (£84 million) in prize money, and his partnerships with brands like Nike, TaylorMade, and Omega have boosted his net worth to an estimated $250 million (£184 million), according to CelebrityNetWorth.
The McNealy Inheritance
While McIlroy's wealth is life-changing for most, McNealy's potential inheritance is far greater. He and his three brothers are set to share approximately $1.35 billion (£997 million) from their father's fortune, which is more than five times McIlroy's entire net worth.
Personal Life and Aviation Passion
McNealy often credits his wife Maya for his success. After his first PGA win in 2024, he said, "I'm the luckiest guy ever. Maya was chatting with me when I was a little frustrated. She said, 'If you knew you were going to win in six weeks, would you do anything different?' I said, 'Probably not.' So six weeks I got my win."
Beyond golf, McNealy is a licensed pilot who flies himself to tournaments. In 2023, Maya told the PGA Tour: "He's watching airplane videos any time he doesn't have a golf club in his hand. I don't know how he has the time or mental patience to get better at both consistently... but he's one of the most determined people I know." McNealy added, "I told her, 'By the way, I'm going to start getting my pilot's license,' and she looked at me like I had three heads."
