from Statista.com
— this post authored by Martin Armstrong
At the US Masters in 1997, the world of golf changed forever.
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Tiger Woods took Augusta by storm to lift the first of his (to date) 14 major trophies. Having turned pro only seven months previously, Woods chalked up a Masters record -18, with the nearest challenger 12 shots asunder. His prize money of $486,000 went in the kitty that, according to Forbes, grew to $26 million by the end of year.
In 2002, Tiger reached the top of the sport rich-list and remained there for ten years consecutively. Although his major winning streak came to an end in 2009 – the same year the infidelity scandal broke – he remained the worlds’ highest earning sports person until 2012, when he slipped to third. Plagued by injuries and a general lack of form, the Woods has failed to make an impact where it matters for over eight years now, but as the infographic below shows, this hasn’t had a major effect on his earnings.
While his income has naturally taken a dip since the glory days, the former world number one has still managed to keep the money flowing in. Despite having not won a tour event since 2013, Woods earned a reported $45 million last year. As a professional sports person though, this is unlikely to provide him with much solace. While he was out of this year’s Masters through injury, it would be quite a story if he could turn it all around and bag that fifteenth major before he finally calls it a day.
This chart shows the earnings and major wins of Tiger Woods from 1997 to 2016.
You will find more statistics at Statista.
