Tiger Woods joins LeBron James, Michael Jordan as only known athlete billionaires

Woods' recent addition to the list of billionaires comes despite his reported refusal to join the new, controversial LIV Golf Series.

"But through it all, the 46-year-old Woods has maintained his supremacy as one of the top-earning athletes in the world, raking in over $1.7 billion in salary, endorsements and other income over the course of his 27-year career -- more than anyone else Forbes has tracked," Forbes staff writer Matt Craig wrote. "Forbes now estimates his net worth to be at least $1 billion, based on his lifetime earnings, making him one of just three known athlete billionaires. ... Yet to this point, less than 10% of Woods’ career earnings, and net worth, comes from golf winnings. The bulk of his fortune comes from enormous endorsement deals with more than a dozen brands, including Gatorade, Monster Energy, TaylorMade, Rolex and Nike, with whom he signed in 1996 and which remains his biggest backer."

It was reported last week that LeBron James had joined the club of billionaires. In the process, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar became the first active NBA player to achieve that status.

Woods is currently tied with the late Sam Snead for first in all-time PGA Tour wins at 82 and trails Jack Nicklaus by three major championships for the most all-time. Woods -- who last won a major at the 2019 Masters -- has 15 major wins, while Nicklaus finished his career with 18.