This Year on the Green: Watches Worn by Famous Golfers

With a long tradition of style and sportsmanship, golf stands out as one of the world’s premier sports for those who are willing to put in the time and effort to truly excel. From enjoying a round of eighteen holes with friends to watching the PGA Tour events on television or in-person, there is so much to enjoy when it comes to this riveting outdoor activity.

Watching the pros take on Shinnecock Hills in Southampton for this year’s golf U.S. Open is one way to brush up your skills on the green. It is also a place to gather style inspiration from some of the best-dressed athletes around. Many of today’s golf heavyweights show off spectacular luxury watches both during and after their time on the fairway. Join us as we take a tour of the hottest timepieces worn by golfers today and forever.

Golf is a gentleman’s sport with centuries of history behind it. In the modern era, the sport holds onto many traditions from its storied past. But old-school watches are not one of them. Today’s most talented golfers have been showing off distinctive, memorable timepieces that shake up expectations, both on and off the fairways. From playing eighteen holes to dining at the club with friends after the round, these timepieces can take you virtually anywhere.

Rory McIlroy is widely considered one of the most talented athletes in modern golf. The Northern Irishman competes on the PGA Tour and the European Tour and has spent more than 100 weeks in his career ranked as #1 in the world. In short, McIlroy is nothing short of impressive, and his wristwear meets the same standard of excellence. McIlroy has a longstanding partnership with the watch brand OMEGA, a staple of the luxury timepiece industry and the creator of the famous “Moonwatch,” which accompanied U.S. astronauts on the moon landing in 1969. For one of his recent tournament victories, McIlroy opted for the “Snoopy” edition of the OMEGA Speedmaster, a sleek stainless steel and blue ceramic timepiece that honors the 50th anniversary of Charles Schulz’s beloved cartoon pup.

There are few luxury watch brands that dominate the world of professional golf like Rolex does. The Swiss company has secured partnerships with numerous illustrious golfers, including Scottie Scheffler, Matt Fitzpatrick, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, and countless others, including some of the old guard (whom we will touch on in just a moment). With a list of partners this long, it is no surprise that many of golf’s biggest winners in recent years have hoisted a trophy while showing off an impressive piece of Rolex wristwear. Scottie Scheffler, currently one of the top-ranked golfers on the PGA tour, has been on a run of victories, taking home three major wins in the past two years. One of his favorite timepieces? The black and green Rolex Submariner, dubbed the “Starbucks” edition. The color scheme compliments a green Masters jacket rather excellently.

The Spanish professional golfer is another major name that has been linked to Rolex watches. He plays in the LIV Golf League and recently took home a tie for second-place in the May 2026 PGA Championship. Jon Rahm is also notably the all-time largest winner, in terms of money, on the LIV Tour. His memorable wins often come with a stunning watch to boot. Since 2019, Rahm has been photographed lifting up Masters trophies with his favorite Rolex Sky-Dweller watches. He is known to own a rose gold version with a white dial (like the one seen above) as well as a stainless steel model with a deep blue dial. Emulating Rahm’s signature watch style is a one-way ticket to sophistication and exquisite taste.

Like Rahm, golf legend Bubba Watson plays on the LIV Golf tour. He resigned from the PGA Tour in 2022 but has made impressive strides in the LIV field as he works his way back to the top after a hand surgery in 2025. Watson, who is originally from Florida, is known throughout the world of golf for his bold and vibrant style. This is a sharp contrast to the buttoned-up looks preferred by many in the sport, and it was one of the reasons that Watson initially garnered a lot of attention early in his career. True to his iconoclastic nature, Watson steered away from classic luxury watch sponsors in the golf world, instead tying his name to a relative newcomer: Richard Mille. The golf great and the Swiss watch brand have now created a number of pieces in collaboration, cementing a perfect partnership that allows Watson’s personality to shine through.

Partnerships between first-class golfers and luxury timepieces are nothing new. When you look back at some of golf’s all-time legends, you will see a pattern: Rolex, Rolex, and more Rolex. Take a look at some of the elite timepieces that golfers in the 20th century and early 2000s were wearing when they dominated the fairways.

It is virtually impossible to think of the sport of golf without conjuring up an image of Tiger Woods. A dominant force on the green for years and years, Woods is widely considered one of the greatest golfers in history. He holds the world record for the most career weeks as the world #1 (683 weeks). He brought home 82 PGA Tour victories, including 15 major championships. In short, there is much to learn from this legend’s career, and his style is just one piece of the picture. In 2019, when Tiger Woods won his 15th major title, he wore a Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea watch with the emerald green masters’ jacket. This iconic watch was the perfect companion for a golf icon unlike any other.

Golf’s so-called “big three” (Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Arnold Palmer) have been Rolex partners since the 1960s. Nicklaus holds the record for most major tournament wins on the PGA Tour, clocking in at 18 wins. His go-to watch is canonically a yellow gold Rolex Day-Date, which those close to him says he has been wearing for at least 50 years. Unlike some other golfers on this list, Nicklaus did not seem to feel the need to expand his watch collection. Instead, he found a watch he loved and stuck with it. When we are talking about a watch this captivating, we cannot really blame him. These days, Nicklaus has amassed an estimated net worth of over $400 million, primarily through his golf course design company. Nicklaus Design has created over 425 courses in 45 countries and charges upwards of seven figures for signature courses.

Arnold Palmer, who passed away in 2016, was widely regarded as “The King” of golf. Though his major tournament win record (7 wins) pales in comparison to that of Tiger Woods or Jack Nicklaus, Palmer is widely credited with helping to increase the popularity of the sport, and his charismatic presence coincided with the dawn of golf broadcasts on TV, making him a crowd favorite. Palmer was known to own a variety of Rolex watches, including the “Kermit” green Rolex Submariner, a champagne Day-Date like the one Jack Nicklaus favored (seen above), and an 18K yellow gold GMT-Master II, like the one we have showcased here. Palmer opted for this decadent take on the brand’s signature pilot’s watch for his last appearance as a guest at the Arnold Palmer Invitational Tournament in 2016. This timepiece is a must-have for any golf lover, but moreover, it is a savvy addition to any watch lover’s collection.

Here at Avi & Co., we specialize in renowned luxury watch brands from around the globe, including Rolex, Richard Mille, Audemars Piguet, and Patek Philippe. Our three showrooms are stocked with glamorous accessories and collectible timepieces that you will be thrilled to fasten around your wrist. Do not forget to explore our own Avi & Co. watch lines as well as our decadent Diamonds by Avi & Co. jewelry line, perfect for the sophisticated modern woman, when you visit. From the fairway to the conference room, we have the accessories you need.

Make an appointment today to shop with us in person today. We cannot wait to offer you a warm welcome into our Avi & Co. family.