For decades, Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus have been entwined in a majestic dance of birdies and bogeys. Although they have competed in different generations, both are considered to be the GOATs and for the right reasons. Combined, these two have 33 majors. 

But have you ever wondered who reigns supreme in the monetary measure of success—their net worth? Let’s dive into the fascinating numbers behind these two golf icons and uncover the astonishing truth.

The ultimate net worth face-off: Tiger Woods vs. Jack Nicklaus

Starting with Tiger Woods, a golfing phenom from the age of 2, Woods was destined for greatness. By 5, he was already making waves in Golf Digest and dazzling TV audiences with his pint-sized swing. Fast forward to today, and the 82-time PGA Tour champion has amassed a staggering net worth of $1.3 billion.

But that’s not all—since turning pro in 1996, Woods has raked in a mind-boggling $120,999,166 in career earnings. He is the top earner on the American Tour. In a testament to his enduring success, Forbes welcomed him to the billionaire’s club in 2022. That made him the second active athlete to join this elite group. 

Now, let’s shift our focus to the other side, where the legendary Jack Nicklaus, aka The Golden Bear, awaits. Widely regarded as the greatest golfer of all time, Nicklaus boasts an unparalleled 18 major championships. A record that even the mighty Tiger Woods couldn’t surpass, but he still hopes to break this record, or at least settle for a tie.

Being one of the brightest athletes in history, the highly decorated Nicklaus has accumulated a net worth of $400 million. The 84-year-old’s impressive career has yielded a staggering $1.15 billion in earnings, a testament to his enduring legacy as one of golf’s all-time greats. The remarkable sum is built on a foundation of $5,734,031 in PGA Tour winnings and $3,372,207 from the Champions Tour. The 73x PGA Tour winner’s financial success is a reflection of his incredible talent, dedication, and lasting impact on the sport. That made him the sixth-highest-earning athlete in history, per Sportico.

It’s not their golfing prowess that earned them a billionaire tag, but their business ventures and sponsorships have played a key role. 

The legends business side of golf off the greens

While his golfing skills have earned him a pretty penny, it’s his endorsement game that’s paid off. Out of the billion-dollar earnings, a whopping 92.4% came from partnerships with top brands like Nike, Rolex, TaylorMade, and Gatorade. But Woods isn’t just stopping at endorsements; he’s into real estate too. He’s invested in two swanky homes on Jupiter Island, a golf course design business. Moreover, a high-end mini-golf chain called Popstroke. Additionally, in 2022, he teamed up with the Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy and launched TMRW Sports which will introduce TGL, a tech-focused league in January 2025. Woods’s restaurant business is not to be forgotten here too.

Meanwhile, the legendary Jack Nicklaus has been building his business empire for decades. Through Nicklaus Companies, he landed lucrative endorsements and has made savvy investments. Additionally, his design company, Nicklaus Design, has been a labor of love since the mid-1960s and has designed over 420 golf courses around the world. But the golfing great’s real genius lies in his ability to leverage his iconic status into a lifestyle brand. With the Golden Bear logo becoming synonymous with excellence, Nicklaus has built a truly timeless business.

And it seems Woods is following in his footsteps, with his own course design company and SunDay Red clothing venture. However, Woods’s worth exceeds Nicklaus’s, but we should not forget their peaks were on different timelines. Share your thoughts on their net worth journey in the comments section below.