Rico Hoey earned over $2.5 million in career prize money before turning 31 — and he did it the hard way, grinding through PGA Tour Canada, the Korn Ferry Tour, and a painful shoulder injury that nearly ended his career entirely.
From setting tee markers at sunrise at his home club to standing on the first tee at the PGA Championship, his story makes his financial rise all the more compelling.
Rico Hoey’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Richard Hoey |
| Date of Birth | September 19, 1995 |
| Age | 30 |
| Birthplace | Manila, Philippines |
| Nationality | Philippines (2024–present; previously USA) |
| Residence | Rancho Cucamonga, California, USA |
| Height / Weight | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) / 205 lb (93 kg) |
| Plays | Right-handed |
| Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) | ~103 |
| Turned Professional | 2017 |
| Years Active | 2017–present |
| Tour(s) | PGA Tour (current); former Korn Ferry Tour, PGA Tour Canada |
| Caddie | Bryan Martin |
| Net Worth | ~$2.5 million (estimated) |
| Career Prize Money | ~$2.53 million (all tours) |
| Major Titles | 0 |
| Highest OWGR | 69 (December 21, 2025) |
| Relationship Status | In a relationship with Megan Mercado |
| Social Profiles | Instagram: @ricoh_30 |
Early Life and Golf Journey
Rico Hoey was born on September 19, 1995, in Manila, Philippines, and moved to Rancho Cucamonga, California, as a young child.
His introduction to golf came at Goose Creek Golf Club in Mira Loma, a public course in the Inland Empire of Southern California, where both of his older sisters, Kay and Simone, also took up the game.
Theegala, who would go on to become a PGA Tour winner himself, grew up playing at the same Goose Creek course, and the two developed alongside each other in those early years.
Ross Fisher, the club’s general manager, served as an informal mentor to Hoey and later recalled that the young Filipino-American would pick up adult clubs and fire them straight at the flagstick with no hesitation.
Hoey’s junior career produced standout results, most notably winning the 2012 Callaway Junior World Championship at Torrey Pines, where he beat a field that included future PGA Tour pro Beau Hossler.
He also participated in the Junior America’s Cup, cementing his reputation as one of Southern California’s top junior prospects.
He attended the University of Southern California from 2014 to 2017, where he became a standout on the Trojans’ golf team.
His accomplishments at USC include a Pac-12 Freshman of the Year award, three All-American selections, sub-71 stroke averages in each of his final three seasons, and a runner-up finish at the NCAA Individual Championship.
He represented Team USA at the Arnold Palmer Cup in 2014 and 2016, earning 3 points (all wins) in 2016.
Professional Golf Career
Hoey’s professional debut came on PGA Tour Canada in 2017, and he made an immediate impression.
He won the season-ending Freedom 55 Financial Championship, finishing fifth on the Order of Merit and earning Korn Ferry Tour status for 2018.
The next several seasons on the Korn Ferry Tour were a mixed experience. Hoey showed flashes of his talent — including a T4 at the Ellie Mae Classic — but a serious shoulder injury derailed his progress.
He reached a low point where he considered leaving professional golf entirely, even working in the pro shop at Goose Creek Golf Club, setting tee markers before dawn while weighing a potential career as a teaching professional.
The turnaround came through renewed belief and physical recovery. In 2023, Hoey claimed his first Korn Ferry Tour title at the Visit Knoxville Open, shooting a final-round 65 to win by one stroke at Holston Hills Country Club.
He finished the 2023 Korn Ferry Tour season fourth on the points list, earning PGA Tour status for 2024 — seven years after turning professional.
Caddie
Rico Hoey’s caddie is Bryan Martin, a former professional golfer from Thousand Oaks, California. Martin joined Hoey’s team in 2024, partnering with the golfer through his PGA Tour rookie season and into his second year on tour.
He played a significant role in the pair’s success at the 2024 ISCO Championship, where Hoey finished runner-up.
Martin also collaborated with putting coach Marcus Potter and Hoey on the broomstick putter switch in late 2025.
Hoey has publicly credited Martin as a turning point in his season, describing him on social media as “a huge part of how this year turned out.”
Girlfriend
Rico Hoey is in a relationship with Megan Mercado. She became a significant source of support during one of the most difficult stretches of his career, around 2021, when Hoey was dealing with injury setbacks and seriously doubting his future in professional golf.
Her encouragement, alongside that of his coach, helped him refocus and regain his passion for the game.
Hoey grew up in a golf family. Both of his older sisters, Kay and Simone, played collegiate golf — Kay was a two-time All-America Second Team selection at Long Beach State University.
His parents relocated the family from Manila to Rancho Cucamonga when the children were young, and golf quickly became the family sport.
Growing up, Hoey’s idol was Tiger Woods, an influence that shaped his drive and competitiveness from a young age.
Rico Hoey’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Rico Hoey’s has an estimated net worth of approximately $2.5 million.
He built this figure primarily through career prize money across three tours — PGA Tour Canada, the Korn Ferry Tour, and the PGA Tour — supplemented by equipment and sponsorship deals.
Career Prize Money
According to career prize money data compiled by StatMuse, Hoey’s total PGA Tour career earnings stand at approximately $2.28 million through mid-2026, with additional earnings from his 2025 season and his Korn Ferry Tour and PGA Tour Canada victories bringing his all-tour career total to an estimated $2.53 million.
His 2025 season was his strongest financially, with CBS Sports reporting over $2.53 million in prize money for the year alone at a ranking of 67th on the money list.
His biggest single payday on the PGA Tour came at the 2024 ISCO Championship, where he earned $268,000 finishing tied for second after a five-man playoff.
He also earned $180,000 for his 2023 Korn Ferry Tour victory at the Visit Knoxville Open from a $1 million total purse.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season / Year | Tour | Wins | Approx. Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | PGA Tour Canada | 1 (Freedom 55 Financial Championship) | N/A (no official public figure) |
| 2018–2022 | Korn Ferry Tour | 0 | ~$125,000 (estimated across multiple seasons) |
| 2023 | Korn Ferry Tour | 1 (Visit Knoxville Open) | ~$180,000+ (winner’s share) |
| 2024 | PGA Tour (Rookie Season) | 0 (T2 ISCO Championship) | ~$1.77 million |
| 2025 | PGA Tour | 0 | ~$2.53 million (money list rank: 67th) |
| 2026 | PGA Tour | 0 (ongoing) | ~$768,000 (as of mid-2026) |
Endorsements
Hoey’s primary equipment relationship is with Titleist.
The Titleist brand lists Hoey as an official tour player on its website, and as of early 2026 he was gaming a Titleist GT2 Driver alongside Srixon ZX5 irons.
His bag relationship with Titleist covers balls and other equipment, making it one of the most visible endorsements tied to his name.
Beyond equipment, his most notable commercial partnership is with ICTSI, a Philippines-based global port and logistics company.
The deal, which aligned with his 2024 decision to represent the Philippines internationally, positions Hoey as an ambassador to Filipino-American and Asian markets.
ICTSI’s support also reflects the commercial opportunity that comes with being one of the most prominent Filipino golfers competing at the highest level of the sport.
Hoey also maintains a relationship with Goose Creek Golf Club, his home course, which has publicly supported his career since his junior years.
The club’s general manager Ross Fisher remains a mentor figure. As Hoey’s world ranking grows and he continues to compete consistently on the PGA Tour, his endorsement value will only increase — particularly if he secures his first PGA Tour win.
Career Statistics
| Year | Tour | Events Played | Wins | Top 10s | Cuts Made | Year-End OWGR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | PGA Tour Canada | 8 | 1 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2018–2021 | Korn Ferry Tour | Multiple seasons | 0 | 3 (career) | Varied | Outside top 500 |
| 2022–23 | Korn Ferry Tour | ~24 starts (2022); ~30 (2023) | 1 (2023 Visit Knoxville Open) | Several | Varied | ~134 (post-2023) |
| 2024 | PGA Tour | 35 | 0 | 2 | Majority | ~134 |
| 2025 | PGA Tour | ~30+ | 0 | Several (incl. fall swing) | Majority | 69 (career high, Dec. 2025) |
| 2026 | PGA Tour | ~14 (ongoing) | 0 | 0 (as of mid-2026) | ~54% | ~103 |
FAQs
What is Rico Hoey’s estimated net worth?
Rico Hoey’s estimated net worth is approximately $2.5 million. This figure comes from his PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour prize money, Titleist equipment deal, and his ICTSI sponsorship partnership.
How much has Rico Hoey earned in career prize money?
Hoey’s total all-tour career prize money is estimated at approximately $2.53 million, with roughly $2.28 million earned on the PGA Tour alone. His 2025 season was his strongest, finishing 67th on the money list.
Who is Rico Hoey’s biggest endorsement partner?
His most prominent endorsement is with Titleist, where he is listed as an official tour player. He also holds a notable sponsorship deal with ICTSI, a Philippines-based global port infrastructure company, which began.
Has Rico Hoey won a Major championship?
His best Major result is a T60 at the 2026 PGA Championship. He has also made the field at the U.S. Open (missed cut in 2024) and The Players Championship.
What is Rico Hoey’s current world ranking?
Rico Hoey ranks approximately No. 103 in the Official World Golf Ranking. His career-best ranking was No. 69, reached on December 21, 2025, after a strong fall swing on the PGA Tour.
