NEW YORK • Masters and US Open champion Jordan Spieth topped the Golf Digest 50 money list revealed on Tuesday, while Tiger Woods, who led the first 13 lists, settled for third place.
The former top-ranked Woods, whose run to 14 Major titles from 1997 to 2008 boosted prize money and television rights fees, has struggled with injuries. The American turned 40 two weeks ago with a back injury and no timetable for his return to competition.
Current No. 1 Spieth made more than US$53 million (S$76 million) in combined winnings and endorsement deals to top the magazine's list of 2015 golf revenue producers.
The 22-year-old's total was boosted by the US$30 million from sponsor Under Armour.
The American, who will be teeing off at the US$1 million SMBC Singapore Open from Jan 28 to 31, had five PGA Tour triumphs last year, including the two Major wins.
At US$48.5 million with only US$551,000 in prize money, Woods trailed 45-year-old left-hander Phil "Lefty" Mickelson and finished just ahead of 26-year-old Northern Ireland star Rory McIlroy.
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US$23m Jordan Spieth's winnings in 2015. Sponsor Under Armour made up the rest of his US$53 million earnings.
Arnold Palmer, the 86-year-old legend whose popularity and skill made him a pioneer in golf endorsement deals and branding, was fifth with fellow retired icon Jack Nicklaus sixth.
Australia's Jason Day was seventh with American Rickie Fowler eighth. Japan's Hideki Matsuyama was 22nd, 12 spots ahead of countryman Ryo Ishikawa.
New Zealand's Lydia Ko, the LPGA teenage star who dominated the season, was 47th, one spot behind Kiwi men's golfer Danny Lee and one ahead of South Korean men's stand-out Bae Sang Moon.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
