TIGER WOODS sparked a cash boom in golf that brought money pouring in — and he pocketed a jaw-dropping share of it.
It is no surprise to see Woods, 44, on top of the US Tour’s career money list, with more than £98million deposited in his bank account since he turned professional near the end of 1996.
But the amazing figures show just how big his share of the pot was in his peak years.
On five occasions he earned more than half of the prize money he would have banked by winning every event he played in.
The 15-time Major winner also earned at least a 40 per cent share of the kitty on three other occasions, something only one other golfer has ever achieved.
That was Tom Watson, who topped the money list in 1980 after racking up seven wins and nine other top tens from his 22 starts.
His prize money of just over £430,000 was an impressive 41.68 per cent of his potential earnings for a clean sweep.
But that is still only good enough for ninth place on the all-time list, with Woods managing 11 of the top 12 places.
Northern Ireland’s world No 1, Rory McIlroy, had his best year at making the most of his potential earnings in 2012 — before Woods went above him at the summit in March 2013 — and still ‘only’ pocketed 33.33 per cent he was playing for.
The American posted his highest mark with an incredible 78.25 per cent of earnings in 2008.
That figure is distorted by the fact he played just six times that year, before undergoing knee surgery after winning the US Open in June.
But he had won three other events, finished runner-up in The Masters, and was fifth in his only other start!
Watson must wish he was playing in the ‘Tiger years’ even though winning tournaments became a lot harder.
The Tiger effect is summed up by the fact total prize money on the US Tour when Woods started in 1996 was £82m.
That had rocketed to £237m by the time he won his 14th Major at that 2008 US Open. And it was up to £350m last year.
Many other golfers have become a lot richer because of the way sponsors and TV executives have flocked to the game since Woods exploded on to the scene.
In his rookie season of 1996, only the top 15 players earned more than $1m. That figure was up to 112 last year and 54 players earned more than double that.
Phil Mickelson, second on the all-time money list with career earnings of over £74m, admits he owes a huge debt to his long-time rival.
Mickelson, 49, said: “What he’s been doing for the game the last twenty-something years he’s played as a professional has been incredible.
“I remember when I was an amateur and I won my first tournament in Tucson in 1991, the entire purse was $1m.
“First place was $180,000 and I recall sitting down and saying to my agent ‘I wonder if in my lifetime — though probably not in my career — we will see guys play for a $1m first-place cheque’.
“Now that happens every week. It’s unbelievable the growth of this game. And Tiger has been the instigator.
“He’s been the one that’s really propelled things and driven the bus, because he has brought increased ratings, increased sponsors and increased interest.
“We have all benefited but nobody has benefited more than I have — and we’re all really appreciative.”
