What else would you ask for? You’ve got a great-looking wife. You’re at the top of your game. You are the best golfer in the world. And again, you’re the highest earning American athlete at almost $128 million for a fifth year in a row. It must be tiring there at the top. If you want to trade places, give me a call Tiger. 
According to SI, Tiger Woods is this year’s runaway No. 1 highest earning athlete. Tiger’s earning is more than double his closest pursuer, Phil Mickelson at $62.4 million, another pro golfer like Tiger. What is it about golfing that we have two golfers on top of the earnings chart? Seriously, a lot of young kids who are into sports should look at golf. The earlier they take golf lessons and participate in golf tournaments the better. Tiger, now at 32, got his golf lessons from his father at a very young age. In his amateur years, just to mention a few achievements, he became the youngest ever U.S. Junior Amateur Champion and was voted by Golf Digest Junior Amateur Player of the Year in 1991. Now a Pro, he’s the World’s No. 1.
Sports Illustrated’s earning estimates are limited to salary, winnings, bonuses, endorsements and appearances. Tiger Woods get most of his earnings outside of the golf course. Here’s a short list of the golf legend’s sponsors from Sports Illustrated:
1. Nike - Tiger endorses golf clothing from head to toe, Nike clubs and balls etc.
2. Gatorade - Recently launched "Gatorate Tiger". Woods even picked out the flavors himself: cherry blend, citrus blend and grape.
3. Buick - car manufacturer. Woods was in Buick’s commercials.
4. Gillette - shaving equipment for "golfers"?
5. Tatweer: The Tiger Woods Dubai - Tiger’s first foray into golf course design
6. EA Sports - EA video game series Tiger Woods PGA Tour
7. Accenture - golf tournament sponsor
8. Tag Heuer - lightweight watches for golfers
9. Others : Netjets, TLC Laser Eye Centers, Upper Decks
Now for Tiger Woods, the highest paid American athlete and golfer, the question is, when will he become the world’s first athlete-billionaire?
