Orlando, Fla. — The $9.1 million Tiger Woods earned last year on the PGA Tour in his record-setting season could turn into an additional payoff of nearly $13 million when he turns 60 under the PGA Tour's retirement plan.
In a comprehensive study of the PGA Tour's pension plan, Golfweek Magazine also projected Woods' total deferred compensation package from the tour at about $200 million, and as much as $300 million if he were to become fully vested.
That's not counting investments from Woods' earnings outside the PGA Tour, money from worldwide tournaments, appearance fees and the $54 million a year from contract endorsements.
His father and financial overseer said Woods' net worth could eventually exceed $5 billion.
"If things continue and he remains healthy, there's no limit," Earl Woods told Golfweek, adding that $5 billion "might be on the short side."
According to tour projections obtained by Golfweek, a 26-year-old player who begins his career in 2001 and plays 17 seasons could stockpile an account of nearly $43 million, just by averaging 75th on the money list. He could reach that amount without ever winning.
The deferred compensation plan features three programs. One rewards players for making the cut, another program contributes money based on how much players earn during three separate segments of the season, and a third deals with overall earnings for the year.
Last year, each cut made was worth $3,253 to a player's plan, and the value doubled to $6,506 after 15 cuts. The incentive plan, based on earnings over three segments each year, was designed to encourage players to enter more tournaments. Woods likely never will be fully vested because he only play
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