Remember when Scottie Scheffler said during an interview that Tiger Woods “feels like he hasn’t made enough money in his career.” Well, that statement did raise more than a few eyebrows. How could the man who’s earned a staggering $1.8 billion—yes, a billion—in his pro golf career feel like he’s fallen short? With a net worth of $1.3 billion, Woods isn’t just the richest golfer in history—he’s one of the wealthiest athletes ever.

Forbes even made it official in 2022, making him only the second active athlete to reach that status after LeBron James. And the wildest part? He got there without taking LIV Golf’s “mind-blowingly enormous” offer which was rumored to be in the “high nine digits.” But here’s the twist: less than 10% of Woods’s fortune comes from winning on the course. Sure, his $121 million in PGA Tour prize money is a record, but it’s his endorsements and business moves that built his empire. So, let’s dive straight into it!

Tiger Woods’s earnings stretch beyond golf

Woods and Nike? That’s a match made in marketing heaven. It all started back in 1997 when a 21-year-old Woods signed a 5-year, $40 million deal right after winning The Masters. But he wasn’t stopping there. That same year, he locked in $20 million with Titleist and $30 million with American Express. By the end of the year—just eight months into his pro career—Tiger had already hit $100 million in earnings. Insane, right?

Nike kept the deals coming. In 2000, they upped it to $100 million over five years. Then came the 2005 mega-deal: 8 years for $320 million. And in 2013, they signed what turned out to be their final contract—10 years, $200 million. By the time Woods and Nike officially called it quits in January 2024, he made an estimated $700 million from that partnership alone.

And it wasn’t just Nike throwing cash his way. Woods had signed deals with everyone from Gatorade to Rolex to TaylorMade. Let’s just say, if there was a big-name brand, they probably wanted Woods in their corner.

But endorsements are just part of the story. Tiger Woods has been building his empire as well! He’s got TGR Design, a golf course design firm with projects all over the world. He runs TGR Live, an events company. And, because why not, he also owns a restaurant called The Woods. And of course, how can we not mention the all-tech-infused TGL, that he launched in collaboration with Rory McIlroy which is the reason for the buzz among the golf community? It was supposed to debut in 2024, but now it’s been pushed to 2025. Either way, it’s got people talking.

And here’s the thing: Woods didn’t just cash in for himself. Between 1996 and 2008, his PGA Tour winnings nearly tripled, thanks in no small part to his superstar status. For 10 years straight—from 2002 to 2012—he was the highest-paid athlete in the world, pulling in over $100 million a year, mostly from endorsements.

And, of course, Woods’s always looking ahead. After parting ways with Nike, he launched his own brand, Sun Day Red, which he now rocks at tournaments. So yeah, Woods’s story isn’t just about golf—it’s about how he completely changed the game, both on and off the course.

Woods’s investments beyond the riches

Woods’s investment portfolio? Let’s just say it’s as impressive as his golf career. After his split with Elin, Woods went all out and built a jaw-dropping oceanfront estate in Jupiter, Florida. We’re talking 12 acres of pure luxury, complete with a practice golf course (because, obviously), an oxygen therapy room, and four swimming pools—lap pool, dive pool, kids’ pool, reflection pool… plus a fountain, because why not? When it was finished, the place was worth about $60 million. These days, that number’s closer to $75–100 million.

And that’s just the start. Woods teamed up with Justin Timberlake and British billionaire Joe Lewis on a luxury real estate venture called Nexxus. Oh, and he also owns a $25 million yacht, perfectly named Privacy. Fun fact: Woods likes to crash on the yacht during tournaments near water. Then there’s his private jet—a $54 million Gulfstream G550. The man hasn’t flown commercially in 15 years, except for one time in 2017 when he flew to Dubai. Can you even imagine seeing Woods Woods in the economy?

On top of that, Woods’s PGA Tour pension plan is sitting pretty at $20 million. And let’s not forget his course design business, which he launched during the 2009 financial crisis. He’s been designing golf courses all over the world ever since. Basically, he’s not just sitting on his wealth—he’s building on it. What do you think? Can any other athlete surpass the golf legend in the future? Tell us in the comment section below!