World No.1 Tiger Woods has cracked $US1.3 billion ($A1.45 billion) in career earnings by leading the Golf Digest 50 income list for 2013, with Australian Adam Scott coming in eighth.
The 14-time major champion topped the list for the 11th time in its 11-year history with $US83 million ($A93 million), including an estimated $US71 million ($A79.45 million) off the course and more than $US12 million ($A13.45 million) in prize money.
Golf Digest magazine reported on its website on Tuesday that Woods’ winnings of more than $US155 million ($A173 million) reflect less than 12 per cent of his career earnings, with $US1.16 billion ($A1.3 billion) coming from endorsements since his pro debut in 1996, a figure that continues to increase even after his infamous sex scandal and ensuing divorce.
Second on the Golf Digest list was Phil Mickelson at $US52 million ($A58.2 million), with an estimated $US45 million ($A50 million) in endorsements and other non-prize money income.
The US left-hander won last year’s British Open and hopes to complete a career grand slam by winning this year’s US Open, an event where he is a record six-time runner-up.
Arnold Palmer, the 84-year-old golf icon whose popularity helped spawn the television riches of today’s players, was third at $US40 million ($A44.75 million), largely from licensing deals in Asia.
Jack Nicklaus, who turns 74 on January 21, ranked fourth at just over $US26 million ($A29 million). The record 18-time major champion joins Palmer and Gary Player for the annual honorary tee shots that mark the start of the Masters each year.
Sweden’s Henrik Stenson, who won the US PGA Tour playoff crown and the European Tour’s Race to Dubai, was fifth at $US21.45 million ($A24 million).
Despite a year with only one title, Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy was sixth on $US20.6 million ($A23 million).
South African legend Player, 78, was seventh at just over $US16 million ($A17.9 million), followed by Scott, who won his first major last year at the Masters, in eighth on $US15.65 million ($A17.5 million) with $US7.6 million ($A8.5 million) in estimated endorsement income.
South Africa’s Ernie Els and retired Australian star Greg Norman completed the top 10.
Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa was the top Asian player on the list at 26th, while Paula Creamer was the only woman on the list at 48th with $US5.28 million ($A5.9 million).