The Clubhouse

Phil Mickelson complained earlier this week that taxes were killing him living in his native California. If Mickelson - who said he was considering some "drastic changes" - was planning on hiding some of that money from the taxman, Golf Digest made that task a little more difficult after publishing its list of top earners in golf from 2012.

Despite earning just over $2-million on course, Tiger Woods retained his number one ranking thanks in large part to the $62-million he cashed in endorsements, bonuses, appearance fees, licensing fees for things such as video games and course architecture. Woods, however, will get to keep most of that money as he is among a number of golfers who call the tax-free state of Florida home (and you thought it was because of the weather!)

Mickelson is second once again with $41-million in total earnings - $38-million of that coming away from the course.

Arnold Palmer hasn’t played a competitive round of golf in years, yet the King sits third in earnings with $36-million.

Jack Nicklaus vaulted past Greg Norman into fourth place with almost $29-million while Norman had to make due with almost $23-million.

Rounding out the top-10 were Luke Donald ($21.6-million), Ernie Els ($18.4-million), Gary Player ($16-million),Sergio Garcia ($15.8-million) and Bill Haas, who just edged out Rory McIlroy with $15.3-million.

You can see the full list here.

---

STAYING PUT: It didn't have quite the pomp and ceremony that Rory McIlroy's signing with Nike had but world number three Luke Donald has announced an extension of his contract with Mizuno. The 35-year-old has used the same make of clubs since 2003 and has racked up 12 wins on the PGA and European Tours in that time, including a superb 2011 where he became the first player to win the money list titles both sides of the Atlantic.

“I feel as if I am playing as well as ever at this stage in my career. Over the next few years I want to be in a position to win major championships and to continue to improve each year,” Donald said of the multi-year agreement with the clubmaker.

McIlroy, a two-time major winner, changed his clubs when he signed a multi-million deal with Nike last week and in his first tournament with the new equipment he missed the cut.

---

PAY UP: A Florida businessman has paid $100,000 to play a round of golf with real estate magnate Donald Trump at his newly opened links course at Menie in Scotland. According to The Scotsman newspaper, John Scarpa made the winning bid during a fund-raising dinner for the Palm Beach Police Foundation, which was held at Trump’s exclusive Mar-A-Lago club in Florida.

Scarpa is already a member at the Trump International Golf Club at Palm Beach and is an huge admirer of the billionaire.

“It’s the number one course in the world,” said Scarpa. “I have not played on the course yet and that’s part of the excitement. He does things to perfection and that’s why his golf courses are so amazing.”

Asked when he plans to make the trip, Scarpa said, “I will wait for Mr Trump to clear his schedule. As long we he will tolerate us we will stay.”

---

STAT PACK: Five courses have accounted for 42-percent of Tiger Woods’ career 74 wins on the PGA Tour - Torrey Pines (7), Firestone (7), Bay Hill (7) Muirfield Village (5) and Cog Hill (5)

---

FINAL WORD

-- Tweet from Texas Gov. Rick Perry after Phil Mickelson said he was considering drastic changes in light of his tax situation in California