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Tiger Woods joins Michael Jordan, LeBron James on sports billionaire list: Forbes
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American golfer Tiger Woods waits to tee off during the PGA Championship at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, U.S., May 21, 2022. /CFP

American golfer Tiger Woods waits to tee off during the PGA Championship at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, U.S., May 21, 2022. /CFP

Tiger Woods, a 15-time major golf champion, has joined NBA icons Michael Jordan and LeBron James as athletes with a net worth of $1 billion, Forbes magazine reported Friday.

Woods, making a comeback at age 46 from severe leg injuries suffered in a February 2021 car crash, has made about $1.7 billion in prize money, endorsements and business deals over his 27-year career, Forbes reported.

The earnings update said that was the most money of any athlete the magazine has tracked, with less than 10 percent of revenues for Woods coming from his winnings.

Michael Jordan #23 of the Washington Wizards waits to play in the last game of his career, which happened to be against the Philadelphia 76ers at First Union Center in Philadelphia, U.S., April 16, 2003. /CFP

Michael Jordan #23 of the Washington Wizards waits to play in the last game of his career, which happened to be against the Philadelphia 76ers at First Union Center in Philadelphia, U.S., April 16, 2003. /CFP

Jordan, who won six NBA crowns in the 1990s with the Chicago Bulls, was the first sportsman to reach the milestone, his endorsement pitchman role and Jumpman logo products setting standards for athletes.

Los Angeles Lakers playmaker James, a four-time NBA champion and four-time NBA Most Valuable Player, crossed the $1 billion figure only last week, according to the magazine, which said he made $121.1 million gross in the past year.

Tiger Woods attends the "Tiger Is Back" event at Nike Harajuku store in Tokyo, Japan, October 20, 2019. /CFP

Tiger Woods attends the "Tiger Is Back" event at Nike Harajuku store in Tokyo, Japan, October 20, 2019. /CFP

Woods, whose 82 career U.S. Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) Tour victories is level with Sam Snead for the all-time record, ended a 14-month injury layoff in April at the Masters, making the cut in a fightback effort where simply walking 72 holes at hilly Augusta National was considered a major effort.

Woods made the cut last month at the PGA Championship but withdrew before the final round after limping his way over Southern Hills in the third round.

Michael Jordan reacts after being introduced as part of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team during the NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, U.S., February 20, 2022. /CFP

Michael Jordan reacts after being introduced as part of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team during the NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, U.S., February 20, 2022. /CFP

While he will skip next week's U.S. Open, Woods plans to play in next month's British Open at St. Andrews.

Greg Norman, commissioner of the new Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series, said Woods was pitched an offer in the "high nine digits" to join the upstart tour, but Woods said at the PGA Championship he prefers the PGA, built upon the legacy of legends such as Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (L) shares a laugh with NBA legend Michael Jordan during the NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland, U.S., February 20, 2022. /CFP

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (L) shares a laugh with NBA legend Michael Jordan during the NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland, U.S., February 20, 2022. /CFP

In addition to endorsement income, Woods owns event staging and course design companies.

Woods made $68 million in off-course income over the past 12 months, Forbes reported, noting that figure alone would rank him 14th on the global world athlete income list.

Source(s): AFP

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