Tiger Woods Has Earned $55 Million Over The Last Year, Once Again Top Earning Athlete

Tiger Woods earned $55 million from endorsements from June 2012 to June 2013, and those payments were enough to earn the pro golfer the top spot on Forbes’ list of top earning athletes for 2013.

Woods managed to top the athletes list from 2001 through 2011 despite a period of lost sponsors and a losing streak that knocked the golfer for a short period of time from his number one worldwide ranking.

Last year Woods fell to third place on the list behind boxers Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

It is believed that Woods earned $78.1 million over the 12 months from June 1, 2012 through June 1, 2013. Woods’ cash came in the form of prize money, endorsements, appearance fees, and golf course design work.

With a handful of wins over the last year, Tiger Woods has doubled his prize money earnings and his bonuses received from Nike and Rolex.

In second place is tennis superstar Roger Federer, who is estimated to have earned $71.5 million. Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant takes third place with $61.9 million.

Rounding out the Forbes top 5 earners for athletes is Miami Heat star LeBron James with $59.8 million and New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees with $51 million.

Falling far down the list were Mayweather and Pacquiao, who both fell to a tie for 14th on the list. The boxers still aren’t hurting for cash with an estimated $34 million. Manny Pacquiao earned $26 million alone from his December fight with Juan Manual Marquez.

The highest earning female on the Forbes list is russian Maria Sharapova. The female tennis star finished in 22nd place.

You can check out the full list of top earning athletes when the new edition of Forbes magazine drop on June 24.

Are you surprised that Tiger Woods despite all of his troubles has managed to climb back to his number one earner position on the Forbes athletes list?

[Image via GolfDigest]