Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods is widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time and one of the most recognized athletes in the world. Born on December 30, 1975, in Cypress, California, Woods was introduced to golf by his father, Earl Woods, at an extraordinarily young age. He became the youngest ever U.S. Junior Amateur champion at age 15 and went on to win the event three consecutive times. Woods turned professional in 1996 and immediately signed endorsement deals worth $60 million, signaling the start of a career that would transform professional golf forever.

Woods dominated the sport throughout the late 1990s and 2000s, accumulating 15 major championship victories, second only to Jack Nicklaus’s record of 18. His 82 PGA Tour wins tie Sam Snead for the all-time record. Woods held the world number one ranking for a record total of 683 weeks and was the youngest player to achieve the career Grand Slam at age 24. His dominance was so complete that it became known simply as the “Tiger Effect,” credited with dramatically increasing television ratings, prize money, and global interest in golf.

Beyond his playing career, Woods built an enormous business empire. His lifetime deal with Nike, signed in 1996, was one of the most lucrative athlete endorsement partnerships in history. He also held deals with Rolex, Bridgestone, TaylorMade, and numerous other brands. In 2024, Woods partnered with TGL, a technology-driven golf league, further expanding his business interests. His company, TGR Ventures, oversees a portfolio that includes golf course design through TGR Design, a restaurant called The Woods Jupiter, and various real estate investments.

Despite career-threatening injuries, including multiple back surgeries and a severe car accident in February 2021 that nearly cost him his right leg, Woods made remarkable comebacks that captivated the sporting world. His victory at the 2019 Masters, his first major title in 11 years, is considered one of the greatest comebacks in sports history. While his competitive appearances have become limited, Woods remains one of the wealthiest athletes on the planet, with an estimated net worth of $800 million built through decades of prize money, endorsements, and business ventures.