Honorable mention: Walter Hagen
Walter Hagen was one of the prevailing golfers of his time, dying with a net worth of about $20 million. He was widely considered one of the best players in golf history, with 45 total PGA wins to his name. Hagen is third only to Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods for most major victories. Widely considered to be one of the greatest golfers in history, Walter Hagen is third behind Jack Nicklaus and Tigers Woods for the most majors of all-time. Had Hagen’s 11 professional major victories come a few decades later, he would’ve been an even richer man. With 45 total PGA wins in his career, Hagen was one of the most dominant golfers of his era.
With 11 major victories throughout his career, this World Golf Hall of Famer would likely have been worth much more had he been active during a time when prize money was greater. He passed away in 1969.