Tiger Woods Soon to Be the $1 Billion Man

According to Golf Digest's annual article ranking the highest earners in golf - combining on-course winnings with off-course earnings - Tiger Woods is about three seasons away from crossing the $1 billion mark in career earnings. One billion dollars.

The "Golf Digest 50," in the February issue, credits Woods with earnings of $122 million in 2007. The Top 10 in 2007 earnings, according to the magazine's research:

1. Tiger Woods, $122,702,706
2. Phil Mickelson, $49,572,685
3. Vijay Singh, $31,756,678
4. Ernie Els, $29,653,430
5. Arnold Palmer, $29,550,000
6. Greg Norman, $24,006,028
7. Jack Nicklaus, $20,910,000
8. Sergio Garcia, $19,001,622
9. Jim Furyk, $15,754,046
10. Padraig Harrington, $14,189,354

The highest-ranking female golfer on the list is Michelle Wie at No. 12 with earnings of $12,509,899.

According to Golf Digest's calculations, Woods has earned $769 million in his career, and should pass the $1 billion mark in 2010. The full Top 50 and the accompanying article can be found on GolfDigest.com.