Daily Times

LONDON: Former world number one golfer Rory McIlroy is the richest young sportsperson in Britain and Ireland with a net worth of £110 million, according to the Sunday Times newspaper’s Rich List. McIlroy’s earnings have been boosted by his return to form in recent weeks, which saw him emerge as one of the contenders at the USA Masters before finishing tied for fifth. Last year, the 29-year-old signed two 10-year endorsement deals worth $100 million each, with sportswear brand Nike and club manufacturer TaylorMade. Tennis player Andy Murray is second in the rankings, with the Scot’s wealth estimated at £83 million. A relatively modest £6 million increase on the three-times grand slam winner’s valuation from 2017 reflects his absence from the court after suffering a hip injury at last year’s Wimbledon. Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale and Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero are in the third and fourth spots respectively. British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua, who most recently earned £18 million from his title bout with Joseph Parker, completes the top-five.

10 richest young sports stars aged 30 or under (2018 wealth figures in British pounds):

1. Rory McIlroy (golf) – 110 million

2. Andy Murray (tennis)-83 million

3. Gareth Bale (soccer)-74 million

4. Sergio Aguero (soccer)-48 million

5. Anthony Joshua (boxing)-35 million

6. Eden Hazard (soccer)-32 million

7. Mesut Ozil (soccer)-28 million

8. Theo Walcott (soccer)-26 million

9. Paul Pogba (soccer)-25 million

10. Juan Mata (soccer)-24 million.

Published in Daily Times, May 13^th 2018.