The sport of Golf is often perceived to be for the rich and elite. And players who do find success in the game are often seen to grow in wealth. That being said, there aren’t many, if any, golfers who have had more success than Tiger Woods. After all, in today’s world, the word “golf” is synonymous with his name. The sport has seen him grow from a promising amateur to a billion-dollar athlete, and Woods has reciprocated the same for the sport. Let’s explore his journey on how he got there.
Tiger Woods – The Golfing Legend Worth a Billion
Last June, Woods’ net worth officially touched the billion-dollar mark. Forbes, as per his lifetime earnings, estimated his net worth in June 2022 to be $1 billion. This not only made him the world’s richest golfer, but also the only billionaire golfer. Moreover, he became one of the very few billionaire athletes in the world.
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Fortunately for the golf legend, his net worth has only risen since. He is currently valued at $1.1 billion, and the valuation only seems to be climbing. Surprisingly, the 47-year-old’s career earnings on the course make up approximately only about 10% of his total net worth, and stand at $120,954,766. But this is only a drop in the ocean compared to his all-time career earnings, which stand at a whopping $1.7 billion.
An Accident That Almost Changed Everything for Tiger Woods and His Fans
Despite being worth that huge amount, Woods path to success hasn’t been easy. He has had many unfortunate accidents along the way. Back in 2021, he sent a chill down every golf fan’s spine when he narrowly avoided death in a single-man car crash.
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On February 23, 2021, the golf pro was driving in the hills outside of Los Angeles when he lost control of his car, a Genesis SUV, and swerved off the road. Fortunately, the 47-year-old survived the crash, but the accident turned his life completely around. The 15-time major winner had suffered injuries all over, including his right leg and ankle, for which he had to undergo multiple surgeries.
He didn’t see the greens of a golf course for months after that incident. This left fans wondering if at all he would ever return to professional golf. But as usual, the 82-time PGA Tour champion proved them wrong and returned to the course a year later to compete in the major championships.
Tiger Woods is a True Golfer, and Even LIV Can’t Do Anything About It
When LIV Golf emerged last year, Woods was one of the first players the Saudi-backed league tried to poach. Greg Norman and the other leaders of the series offered the pro a whopping billion-dollar deal. But the PGA Tour loyalist didn’t give their offer a second glance. To him, the legacy and prestige that the PGA Tour carries can never be replicated. He now leads the charge for the Tour against the Saudi-backed side and does everything he can to ensure that golfers don’t jump ship.
Recent Comeback and Making the Cut
Since his crash in 2021, the golf legend has only made appearances on the golf course to compete in major championships. For nearly 2 years, the golf world has eagerly awaited the legend’s return to the Tour. And finally, in February this year, their prayers were finally answered. The PGA Tour star competed in the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera.
But his return was just the tip of the iceberg for the fans. He surprised them with so much more at the event! From splendid eagles to glimpses of his old self, Woods showered his fans with awesome moments that week. But the cherry on top of the cake came when he made the cut for the event after the second round.
He went on to finish with a total of one under par, tied for 45th. Although this seemed like a bad day at the office for Woods, it was far from it. Considering it was his first game on the Tour since early 2021 it was quite a remarkable performance. Many had expected him to not even make the cut, let alone finish with a negative score. And once again, the legend proved to them that he should never be counted out!
Tiger Woods Joins Michael Jordan in the Billionaire Race
Last year, the golf pro became the third athlete ever to become a billionaire. He followed in the footsteps of the NBA legends, LeBron James and Michael Jordan. But the golf legend is also rapidly looking to overtake them with his valuation. MJ was the first athlete to ever become a billionaire, doing so in 2016, thanks to an early investment in the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets. King James on the other hand beat Woods by only a few days and also became a billionaire in 2022.
Jordan is now estimated to be worth $1.7 billion. And the ever-competitive Woods will certainly be looking to overtake his old pal by becoming the richest athlete in the world. And with the sport of golf now growing in popularity, he just may have a shot with the many investments he’s made in the sport!
But the Real Question Is, Will Woods Stay a Billionaire?
Although Woods gained his billionaire status months ago, many onlookers have been skeptical about his net worth. But those who were convinced that his valuation was only fleeting, now seem to be eating their own words. Since June last year, the golf legend’s net worth has increased by over $100 million. And during this period, he has competed in only two events on the Tour, proving that playing golf no longer has a huge impact on his value.
In 2021 too, while Woods was nowhere to be seen due to his accident and the pandemic, his net worth didn’t take a plunge. This is because his worth is hardly dependent on his earnings in the sport anymore. The golfer has several prominent lucrative endorsement deals with big names like Nike, Rolex, and Bridgestone. And in 2022, he will have made $68 million from his sponsorships alone. Hence, despite what many may think, it seems like the PGA Tour star will retain his billionaire status in the year to come and possibly even see it grow even more.
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A Career Worth More Than a Billion Dollars
Woods has arguably had one of the best careers the history of golf has ever seen. Not only did he win 82 PGA Tour events, which included 15 major championships, but he also spent over 13 years in total at the top of the world rankings. Golf proved to be the stepping stone to his riches. Since turning pro in 1996, he has used his influence in the game to build a huge business for himself.
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From an extremely successful golf course design company, TGR Design, to investing in companies looking to grow the future of golf, Woods now plays a role much bigger than just a player in the sport. His savvy investments and his brilliant business mind have created for him a huge base for his 1.1 billion-dollar net worth. And his career surely seems to only keep growing.