RORY McILROY was last night tipped to be the billion-dollar baby face of golf for years to come. The 22-year-old Northern Irish superstar is being touted as the highest-earning UK sportsman of all time following his stunning US Open triumph on Sunday. McIlroy has already won $8million in prize money but off-course earnings look set to rocket him into the super-rich bracket. Nigel Currie, director of sports marketing agency Brand Rapport, said: "If McIlroy was to dominate golf for a number of years he could get up towards the $1billion mark. "Lennox Lewis and David Beckham have been the UK's highest-earning sports stars so far but McIlroy could easily pass them.
"Steve Martin, chief executive of M&C Saatchi Sport And Entertainment, added: "Over the next 10 years he will be the £100m man - not dollars."It is that scary. Up until last night Rory was always an amazing young golfer. Now he is a superstar sportsman. "McIlroy is sponsored by a host of companies including Jumeirah, Footjoy, Audemar Piguet, Titleist and Oakley. More will follow and his manager, Chubby Chandler, believes some will also be lost along the way. Chandler said: "Two clothing companies want to take off all the logos and pay more for Rory to wear their attire."
(via
The Daily record)