After winning his first British Open on Sunday, Phil Mickelson was hit with a hefty tax that left him with just 40 percent of the $1.4 million that he earned at Muirfield.
According to ESPN, the United Kingdom takes nearly half of Mickelson's winnings ($628,900), while California will take another 13.3 percent ($192,300).
After several other taxes that were taken out of the total, it is estimated that Mickelson will be bringing home $569,707 of the $1.4 million first-place prize.
This wasn't a new issue for Mickelson, who earlier in the year suggested he'd leave California due to the states high tax laws. He later issued an apology for his comments.
"You know, I've made some dumb, dumb mistakes and, obviously, talking about this stuff was one of them," Mickelson said.
Although the steep tax would make you feel bad for Mickelson, his victory over the weekend could boost his endorsement status enormously, thus allowing him to earn back what was taken with the opportunity to earn much more.
"I'd estimate that the British Open win, given its amazing quality -- and Phil's crowd-pleasing demeanor and likability throughout -- could bump him up at least $50 million a year in deals," Bob Dorfman, an executive vice president at Baker Street Advertising, told ESPN.
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