Tiger Woods handed $2.7 billion update as he sits out PGA Tour until 2026

Tiger Woods might remain sidelined through injury on the PGA Tour but that hasn't prevented his career earnings from once again soaring to new heights in 2025. 

Woods, 49, was unable to return to competitive action at golf's first major of the season at The Masters earlier this month.

The 15-time major champion sadly confirmed in March he had undergone yet more surgery, this time to repaired a ruptured left achilles tendon.

Prior to that a year earlier, Woods underwent the sixth back surgery of his career. 

While no official reports of Woods' return have yet been made, medical experts believe there is no chance we'll see Woods again on the PGA Tour until early 2026.

Rory McIlroy also confirmed recently he does not expect to see Woods on the fairways again until next season. 

Some fans are hoping Woods might be able to peg it up again with his son Charlie Woods in the annual PNC Championship just before Christmas, since he can ride in a golf cart and it's only a 36-hole scramble event. 

But as far as official PGA Tour events and the majors go this year, there's no hope. 

Woods will turn 50 two weeks after the PNC Championship on 30 December.

That means Woods will be able to join the PGA Tour Champions in 2026 should he so wish.

The former World No.1 will also get to regularly ride in a golf cart on the over 50s circuit, something that will likely interest him.

Woods has made it clear in recent times he can still play all the shots, but that he struggles to walk 72 holes. 

That is largely down to the horror car crash he endured in Los Angeles in February 2021, something that nearly took his life.

Major record holder Jack Nicklaus believes if Woods does take up a PGA Tour Champions card then he will dominate. 

Some of the best players currently competing on the PGA Tour Champions include Padraig Harrington, Steven Alker, Ernie Els and Stewart Cink. 

Tiger Woods second in all-time highest paid athletes with whopping $2.7 billion

But back to the top of the story, and Woods' latest career earnings in the game have been revealed by Sportico's Kurt Badenhausen. 

Despite not playing in a competitive tournament since missing the cut at 152nd Open at Royal Trooin in July 2024, Woods still finds himself in second place in the all-time highest-paid athletes list as of 2025.

Woods has inflated adjusted earnings, per Sportico, of a whopping $2.7 billion. 

That is $1.9 billion without the adjusted calculation.

NBA legend and avid golfer Michael Jordan leads the list on a gigantic $4.1 billion. 

That's all despite Jordan, 62, having officially retired from basketball in 2003. 

Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo is now in third place and just behind Woods at $2.2 billion.

LeBron James and Lionel Messi round out the top five.

Late great Arnold Palmer (sixth; $1.8 billion) and 18-time major record holder Nicklaus (seventh; $1.7 billion) make it three golfers in the top 10.

LIV Golf star and six-time major champion Phil Mickelson comes in at 11th ($1.4 billion).

Eight golfers make up the top 50 in the all-time highest paid athletes list, courtesy of Greg Norman (15th; $1.1 billion), Ernie Els (35th; $685m) and Gary Player (37th; $670m).

Check out the all-time list here

One of Woods' latest business ventures teed off in 2025 with the launch of TGL - his new tech-infused league in partnership with McIlroy and their TMRW Sports co-founder Mike McCarley.

TGL, which is just open for PGA Tour players, is the first project of Woods' company TMRW Sports.

TMRW Sports, which is also run by McIlroy and McCarley, is aiming to build modern approaches in sports, media and entertaiment.

Their company has secured significant funding in recent years, none bigger than a Series A round co-led by Dynasty Equity and Connect Ventures, valued at approximately $500m.

Plans are reportedly in the works for an additional team on TGL in 2026, as well as potentially a new women's league featuring the world's best LPGA talent. 

There is some anticipation that World No.1 Scottie Scheffler might get involved for the second season of TGL. 

Woods has amassed more than $120m in career earnings on the PGA Tour.

He has won a record-equalling 82 times on the circuit, something only late great Sam Snead has also achieved. 

It is understood Woods turned down a $1 billion deal several years ago to join the Saudi-bankrolled LIV Golf League.

Woods has a growing portfolio of business ventures and partnerships, despite his PGA Tour career slowing winding down.

He remains a TaylorMade staff player and he continues to play Bridgestone golf balls. 

Woods also has big money deals with Monster Energy, Rolex, Gillette, Gatorade, Accenture, Hero, American Express and EA Sports to name just eight more. 

He also welcomed his own clothing and footwear brand, Sun Day Red, in early 2024.

That came after ending a hugely successful 27-year partnership with Nike. 

Related: What is Tiger Woods' net worth as of 2025?

Although Woods has been absent from the game this year, he did last month confirm a new romance with girlfriend Vanessa Trump, the ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr. 

Woods took to his social media channels to confirm his new girlfriend in March 2025 after the cat got out of the bag. 

Vanessa then broke her silence during The Masters.

Woods was one of the first people to congratulate McIlroy on winning The Masters.

He told the now five-time major champion he was 'proud' of him. 

McIlroy joined Woods and five other golf legends (Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen) in completing the career grand slam. 

Woods also made a special announcement with his TGR Design in partnership with Augusta National.