Success for professional sports people is gauged not only by talent and determination but also by their ability to navigate a career in which uncertainty is a given.
For competitive – and risk-taking – individuals the financial rewards vary dramatically from one tournament to the next.
It’s not uncommon for a player to leave an event without a cheque while still facing costs such as coaching, travel, equipment and fitness support – while the next might see them earn more money than many of us in a year.
It’s the kind of unpredictability that makes sound financial advice and long-term planning essential.
With the right guidance, they can manage their income wisely and protect their financial future and it’s a vital part of maintaining a successful career with peace of mind for the future.
It’s that advice professional golfer James Morrison receives from TrinityBridge, a financial planning and investment management firm with 15 regional offices throughout the UK, including Edinburgh and Glasgow and £23.1 billion assets under management.
Morrison, from Surrey, initially played cricket and switched to golf at 16, playing on the PGA EuroPro Tour. He had several wins on the European Tour and in November last year won the Rolex Grand Final, jumping to sixth position in the season rankings and gaining status to play on the 2026 European Tour.
He had initially intended that the event would be his final professional appearance and had thoughts of pivoting into commentary as he had been part of Sky Sports’ coverage but changed his plans after winning the tournament.
The fact that life can be an unpredictable for a professional sportsman was recently illustrated. Morrison had travelled to Louisville, Kentucky to play in the ISCO Championship when he was struck down with food poisoning.
It was his 456th event on the DP World tour – and was the first one he had ever had to pull out of.
“It’s just the way the cookie crumbles,” he sighs with admirable realism.
“The longer you play the game the more you realise your income will go up and down.
“To make money on the international tour you must have some really good years – but you accept that in some others you’ll make no profit at all.”
In some ways, he adds, playing the sport is its own reward: “There are months in which you have next to no or zero income which are very challenging but when you are playing well and succeed, it makes it taste all the sweeter.
“Where the game of golf is going now does not mean guaranteed income – but the joy of the playing is often about the underdog story of coming through and earning every single penny you can. There’s no such thing as an eight-year or five-year contract and it’s down to you, week in, week out, to put the work in and get the results.
“For me, the draw of the competition is having that ability to change your life.”
To enable that, the stewardship of the prize money earned is obviously vital as the costs can be considerable, including travel, accommodation and paying a caddie.
Now, as a brand ambassador for TrinityBridge and with the firm on board with sponsorship, he says that he is enjoying getting to know the world beyond playing. “It’s something that’s always intrigued me,” he says.
“I feel like I’ve currently got a nice mix of playing the game, doing some media and becoming involved in other areas and realising that the world away from golf isn’t really so scary.”
Morrison concedes that a sportsperson’s finances can be somewhat capricious.
“You have to be sensible along the way,” he says.
“You do basic things such as something into pension and property, and there’s the incentive that every week holds the possibility of winning half a million pounds, or whatever the top prize is.”
“Of course, there are occasional weeks like this which are the downside,” he says resignedly.
“But the good weeks can be very good and it all makes for life being that much more interesting.”
He maintains a close relationship with his advisers at TrinityBridge.
“My game is good and I’m healthy but when you decide to call it a day and move on to another line of work you want to have the peace of mind that you and your family are provided for.
“And in a world that is in turmoil on so many levels it’s important to have that sort of structure in your life, where nothing’s guaranteed and that includes my work situation.
“Playing golf is risky enough for me without anything else being at risk,” he laughs.
“And having the people who manage your money realise that is vital.
“There are so many things going on as a golfer – caddies, coaches, psychologists, and management so to have that little bit security off the golf course makes life a lot easier and gives me peace of mind,” he adds.
This latest event has not been one of Morrison’s most successful but he’s clearly a resilient person and enjoys the southern states of the US.
He has home turf advantage there, as he took up a scholarship at the University of South Carolina at the outset of his golfing career.
Making the most of the visit, he’s off to a Little League baseball match with his teenage son Finley, who now acts as his caddie.
Despite it being somewhat precarious, the golfing life can clearly be a good one.
A sporting chance of protecting your assets
WATCHING Wimbledon, we were recently reminded of the financial rollercoaster experienced by those who choose a career in sport. The wildcard entry Arthur Fery won £482,000 while Andrey Rublev, seeded No 6, left after the first round with a (relatively) small £80,000.
Careers can be intense but comparatively short, earnings can fluctuate dramatically and short-term success doesn’t always guarantee long-term security.
The financial needs of professional athletes are uniquely shaped by the nature of their careers but despite these distinctive challenges, professional sportspeople share the same fundamental objectives as every other client at TrinityBridge: protecting their wealth, providing for their families, planning for retirement and creating a secure future.
Marcelo Rodrigues, managing director, Scotland, at TrinityBridge understands these challenges.
“We help clients across a large array of industries – from transport to technology and the gaming sector as well as land management, renewables and oil and gas and when it comes to sport, we aim to help professional sports people structure their finances so they can achieve their dreams while carving out a financially successful career that ultimately provides security and the key thing we emphasise is early engagement,” he says, adding that careers in sports are very global nowadays.
“This means people are playing and earning money across many different tax jurisdictions, and there are implications that come with that.
“Having a valuable and trusted financial planner can help you with managing the complexities and the benefit of outsourcing wealth management to a trusted partner can make a massive difference to their playing careers and gives them the space to focus on doing what they they’re good at: in playing their particular sport.”
Golfers such as Morrison operate in a volatile environment: “That’s where wealth planning can make all the difference because a lot of their financial focus is to simply fund their dream.
“Seeking support through these precarious stages of their career is vital, as sportspeople need to balance the opportunity for further earnings but also weigh the risks of injury and performance.
“And we can help guide them through these phases of their career as well.”
Rodrigues explains that the company employs an integrated approach to wealth planning.
The in-house bespoke investment management and financial planning teams work alongside other professionals such as specialist lawyers and accountants, meaning sportspeople receive a holistic service for their unique needs.
“Collaboration with professional advisers – including tax specialists, accountancy firms and legal experts – ensures the best possible advice and a joined-up approach. In times of instability and uncertainty, that gives support to clients in a holistic way,” he says.
“It’s an approach that underlines the firm’s mantra: “We believe the most meaningful plans begin with something personal: your dreams.”
- Please be aware that no investment, or investment strategy, is without risk. The value of investments can fall as well as rise and you may get back less than you invested. Any tax benefits will depend on your personal tax position and rules are subject to change. James Morrison’s circumstances as a professional athlete may not be representative of typical clients.
