Actually, golfers and many other sports stars make 90% of their money by endorsements, not salary or purses.
Meaning Arnie probably kept up just fine. Norman made most of his money by selling the rights to his King Cobra line, something like 80 million. Tiger might win 10 million in prize money but he's making another 50 million in endorsements. Arnie has been doing commercials for years as well.
i know, but you don't see arnie plastered all over everything the way you do tiger, and the nike endorsements are just crazy.
difference is, you'll remember arnie forever because he was good, you'll remember tiger forever because he was shoved in your face by nike. same with jordan. there were dozens of guys of old you'll always hear associated with basketball because of their skill. the new guys, you hear of them because of how much their endorsers shove them in your face.