Tiger Woods, born in 1975, is widely considered one of the greatest golfers in history and one of the most iconic athletes of modern times. Over his 27-year professional career, Woods achieved unparalleled success, including winning 15 major championships.
By 2024, his net worth was reported to be over $1 billion, making him one of the wealthiest athletes in the world.
His wealth stems not only from his golfing accomplishments but also from lucrative endorsements, sponsorships, and business ventures.
Tiger Woods, as one of the highest-earning athletes of all time, has accumulated over $1.7 billion from salary, endorsements, and other income throughout his career.
Despite reportedly turning down a “mind-blowingly enormous” deal from LIV Golf, estimated to be in the “high nine digits,” Woods’ wealth has been largely driven by sources outside of tournament winnings. In fact, less than 10% of his total earnings come from golf victories.
Shortly after turning professional, Woods secured three PGA Tour titles and his first major championship, signaling the beginning of his legendary career.
Between 1997 and 2023, Tiger Woods achieved remarkable success, winning The Masters five times, the PGA Championship four times, and both the Open and U.S. Open three times.
While his golfing achievements are historic, much of Woods’ fortune comes from lucrative endorsement deals with over a dozen brands, including Gatorade, TaylorMade, Rolex, and Nike. His 27-year sponsorship with Nike, valued at up to $500 million, ended in January 2024.
Woods has since launched his own brand, “Sun Day Red,” which he sports at tournaments.
Additionally, Woods has expanded into various business ventures, including his golf course design firm TGR Design, a live events production company called TGR Live, and his own restaurant, The Woods. These endeavors further solidify his legacy both on and off the course.
Tiger Woods, alongside Rory McIlroy, co-founded TGL, an indoor golf league initially set to launch in January 2024 but now rescheduled for 2025.
His influence on the sport has been profound, contributing to the PGA Tour’s prize money nearly tripling between 1996 and 2008.
From 2002 to 2012, Woods was the highest-paid athlete in the world for ten consecutive years, earning more than $100 million annually, mostly from off-the-course endorsements.
His ability to transcend golf and become a global sports icon helped drive the commercial growth of the sport.