Jose Sanchez
Research expert covering society, economy, & politics for Latin America
Golf - statistics & facts
Modern golf is thought to have its origins in Scotland, where the first ever major tournament took place in 1860. Today, golf is an industry worth billions, with the revenue of the PGA Tour 聽missing the one billion U.S. dollars revenue in 2024 for the first time since at least 2014. Nonetheless, several golfers rank among the world鈥檚 highest-paid athletes, and Tiger Woods, the golfer with the highest career earnings, has earned over 120 million U.S. dollars from his time in the sport. In recent years, LIV Golf, a tour funded by Saudi Arabia鈥檚 Public Investment Fund, caused divisions at the highest levels of the sport, yet a proposed merger between LIV and the PGA Tour has seemingly put fears of an all-out 鈥榞olf civil war鈥 to rest.
How many people play golf?
Despite its reputation as a sport enjoyed exclusively by the elite, golf is played by millions of people all over the world. In 2024, the number of people participating in golf in the United States exceeded 28 million, representing the highest participation figure since 2009. Meanwhile, the share of the adult population in Japan playing golf amounted to 5.4 percent, while the number of people regularly playing golf in England amounted to just over one million. Golf鈥檚 scenic outdoor settings make it an attractive proposition to many, but they also leave the sport vulnerable, with a majority of UK golfers and spectators experiencing climate-related disruption in 2023.
Who are the best golfers in the world?
Golf has seen many greats over the years, but none have won more at the highest level than Jack Nicklaus. Indeed, Nicklaus holds the record for the most men鈥檚 major championship wins, with a total of 18. Meanwhile, Patty Berg won 15 LPGA major titles, representing a record that has stood for nearly 70 years. In terms of prize money, Annika S枚renstam has the highest LPGA Tour earnings, with a total of over 22 million U.S. dollars. Today, professional golf is arguably more competitive than ever, and anyone looking to compete with the best needs much more than just the rub of the green.
