Tiger Woods on course to earn his second billion
Rehabilitated Tiger focuses his attention on expanding businesses as sponsors flock back, including a multimillion-dollar deal with Hero
His goal of 18 majors is in serious doubt, but five years after his precipitous fall from grace a rehabilitated Tiger Woods is entering the next phase of his career heading towards making another billion.
Five years after driving into a fire hydrant in front of a neighbour's house in Isleworth, an accident that set off sordid tales of extramarital affairs and an exodus of sponsors, Woods returned to the exclusive enclave with high hopes restored.
Feeling fit after a break from the PGA Tour to deal with back pain, Woods, 38, swung freely at last week's Hero World Challenge, but his game was rusty.
The business opportunities open to Tiger would probably dwarf the other guys
He flexed his fiscal muscles by announcing a new title sponsor for the tournament and a move next year to promote his partnership in a lavish Bahamas resort.
"The second billion will be there for him," former CBS Sports president Neal Pilson, who now runs his own sports consulting firm, said.
In 2009, Woods became the first athlete to reach the US$1 billion mark in career earnings, according to a Forbes report.
"That's long gone. That's over," Pilson said about his past personal issues. "His personality, his looks, his contacts, his remaining skills and the emotional tie that people still have to Tiger is eminently marketable."