Cheap shots at rich Rory could still finish up missing target

BACK in 2017, Steve Elkington whose 1995 US PGA win was his only Major triumph - aimed a cheap dig at Rory McIlroy after he had missed the cut at the US Open.

- ANDY DUNN

Elkington suggested that, with "100mill in the bank", McIlroy was "so bored" playing golf.

Understandably, that did not go down well with the Northern Irishman, who took to Twitter to reply: "More like 200mill, not bad for a 'bored' 28-year-old. Plenty more where that came from."

It was a somewhat touchy, bragging riposte, but the accusation and the accuser deserved it.

At the time, it had been three years since McIlroy had won his fourth Major. After another disappointing performance at the 2024 Masters, it is now coming up to 10 years.

In 2023, the PGA Tour paid McIlroy £12 million for being named No.1 on its Player Impact Program (PIP), an initiative that rewards players for, mainly, their social media impact.

In other words, the PGA Tour paid McIlroy £12m for, well, being McIlroy.

In 2022, the PGA Tour paid McIlroy £10m for, well, being McIlroy.

In endorsements and prize money, McIlroy collected another £65m over those two years.