Tiger Woods still a money maker on the golf course for others, if not himself

Tiger Woods has earned $571,363 so far this year, according to Yahoo Sports and ESPN.

And while that may sound like a nice 3 ½ month income to most of us, it’s a paltry sum compared to Tiger Woods tournament winnings prior to his infidelity scandal, which from 200 to 2010, ranged from $5 million to $10 million each year.

Tiger’s 2011 tournament earnings of $571,363 are also a mere drop in the bucket compared to the money Tiger Woods is making for his sponsors, and for others he’s associated with in the world of golf. See Tiger Woods Net Worth Since the Infidelity Scandal and His Divorce Settlement

View slideshow: Tiger Woods Net Worth – photos, slideshow pictures

Electronic Arts Reaps Big Rewards

Electronic Arts (EA) which produces and distributes the best-selling video golf game, Tiger Woods PGA Tour video game series, hung in there with Tiger through his troubles, and now they are reaping their rewards.

Business Insider reports that EA’s new edition, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12 released 2 weeks ago experienced the largest launch week sales in the series' 14-year history. EA sold a record number of the games, 225,000 copies, the very first week. See Tiger Woods Video Golf Game Hacked to Feature Topless Female Golfers

Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 12 on iPhone and iPad was the #1 top grossing sports game application on iTunes the day it launched and throughout week one.

Interestingly enough, even though PGA 12 bears Tiger Wood’ name, this is the first year that Tiger’s picture does not appear on the box. (His picture only appears on the cover of the Collector’s edition.)

Big Bucks for Nike

Because of Tiger Woods, Nike has become a major force in the world of golf. Tiger is the lynchpin of their Golf Division which generates over $600 million in sales each year. . See Tiger Woods Net Worth Since the Infidelity Scandal and His Divorce Settlement

USA Today reports that Tiger Woods is still a valuable walking billboard for Nike, pointing out that, during CBS Sports' Masters coverage Sunday, Tiger drew what research firm Joyce Julius & Associates estimates to be $3.9 million dollars worth of on-air exposure for his various Nike logos.

By contrast, fellow Nike endorser and Masters winner Charl Schwartzel drew about $3.4 million worth of Nike exposure.

Emphasizing the attention CBS paid attention to Tiger Woods, USA today points out that CBS announcers mentioned Tiger 105 times Sunday, while mentioning Schwartzel 90 times.

There’s no doubt that Nike is getting their money’s worth from Tiger Woods on every front.

Less than 48 hours after competing in the Masters, Tiger was busily promoting Nike, in particular, and the game of golf, in general, in China.

Tiger Woods is currently on Nike Golf’s “Make it Matter” Tour in China and Korea from April 12 – April 14, 2011 to promote the game of golf among Asia’s youth, and inspire golf fans there.

Tuesday, Tiger conducted a golf clinic for junior Chinese golfers at the Mission Hills Dongguan golf club.

Yesterday he coached young Korean golfers at a golf clinic held at the Jade Palace Golf Club in, Gangwon Province.

Asia, which represents approximately 40% of the global golf market, is rapidly expanding.

Nike is hopeful that Tiger’s Asian Tour will be instrumental in capturing a sizeable share of that market by encouraging young Asians to take up golf as a sport, and by stimulating their interest in Nike Golf apparel.

Cindy Davis, President of Nike Golf, told Reuters in an interview earlier today, that the company's decision to stick with Tiger despite his fall from grace had been vindicated, saying, "I think our decision was absolutely right and there was not even a hesitation in being with Tiger.

CBS Cashed in on Its Coverage of the Masters

It’s a known fact that win, lose, or draw, Tiger Woods drives television ratings for golf tournaments.

The presence of Tiger Woods in the recent Masters Tournament sent CBS Sports’ ratings through the roof.

According to a news release issued by CBS, their 2011 Masters final round coverage on Sunday, April 10, earned the second highest rating in 10 years.

CBS Sports’ 2011 Masters third round coverage on Saturday, April 9 was the third highest Masters rating in 10 years.

An estimated 43.2 million viewers watched all or part of CBS Sports’ weekend coverage of the Masters Tournament.

Tiger’s Sponsors and Those Associated with Him are Faring Well

Despite recent celebrity endorsement study by Ad Age which found Tiger Woods to be the least effective endorser in 2010, most of Tiger’s remaining sponsors are faring well.

Some of those sponsors who were quick to abandon Tiger during his infidelity scandal may now be having second thoughts.

_________________________________________________

*** © copyright 2011 Ruth Houston / All Rights Reserved.

Ruth Houston is a New York-based infidelity expert who is frequently called on by the media to comment on high profile infidelity and popular infidelity issues in the news. She is the founder of www.InfidelityAdvice.com, the author of Is He Cheating on You? - 829 Telltale Signs, and publishes the Infidelity News and Views blog. To interview infidelity expert Ruth Houston, or have her speak at your next event, call 718 592-6029 or e-mail InfidelityExpert@gmail.com

For more articles on Tiger Woods, Elin Nordegren, or their divorce settlement, see the list below, or visit www.CelebrityInfidelity.com

Is Tiger Woods Having Financial Problems?

Tiger Woods’ Yacht, Privacy, His Infidelity Hideaway, is Up for Sale

Tiger Woods’ yacht Privacy – pictures (slideshow)

Tiger Woods Still Hasn’t Paid Elin Nordegren’s $110 Million Divorce Settlement

Elin Nordegren Still Hasn’t Collected Her Divorce Settlement from Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods Net Worth Since the Infidelity Scandal and His Divorce Settlement + slideshow

Tiger Woods Net Worth + slideshow

Tiger Woods Divorce Settlement – The Final Outcome – Who Ended Up with What

Tiger Woods is STILL News Despite, or Because of His Infidelity Scandal + slideshow

Tiger Woods is Dating Again – The Inside Scoop on Tiger’s New Girlfriend

Celebrity Sex Addicts (slideshow which includes Tiger Woods)