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Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods Is No Longer Golf’s Top Earner

By
Benjamin Snyder
Benjamin Snyder
Managing Editor
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By
Benjamin Snyder
Benjamin Snyder
Managing Editor
Down Arrow Button Icon
January 13, 2016, 12:41 PM ET
PGA: Waste Management Phoenix Open-Second Round
Jan 30, 2015; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Tiger Woods hits his drive on the 17th hole during the second round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic via USA TODAY Sports - RTR4NN70Photograph by USA Today Sports/Reuters

For the first time in 13 years, Tiger Woods is no longer golf’s top earner. In fact, he’s No. 3.

The 14-time major champion was unseated by Jordan Spieth, who claimed many of the biggest golf tournaments last year, according to estimates by Golf Digest.

Spieth reportedly earned $53 million both on the course with help from his tournament victories at the Masters, the U.S. Open and the Tour Championship, as well as with endorsements.

Phil Mickelson placed No. 2 with $52.3 million.

As Golf Digest estimates, Woods collected a total of $48.5 million in 2015, although he won less than $1 million last year. This was also the first time since 2001 that Woods made less than a total of $50 million, according to ESPN.

Per the publication:

While Woods still has his Nike deal, his line has never fully recovered from the fallout associated with his extramarital affairs. Retailers also haven’t been selling as much because he has either been out with injury or performed poorly. In 2015, Woods didn’t wear the shoe that Nike sold to the marketplace as his signature shoe.

In 2014, Fortune tabulated pay for the world’s top athletes.

About the Author
By Benjamin SnyderManaging Editor
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Benjamin Snyder is Fortune's managing editor, leading operations for the newsroom.

Prior to rejoining Fortune, he was a managing editor at Business Insider and has worked as an editor for Bloomberg, LinkedIn and CNBC, covering leadership stories, sports business, careers and business news. He started his career as a breaking news reporter at Fortune in 2014.

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