After being confirmed as a billionaire recently, Tiger Woods doesn’t need the money — but a conspiracy theory has emerged to suggest otherwise.
The 48-year-old was forced to withdraw during his second round at the $30m Genesis Invitation in California on Saturday.
It was another sad moment for the 15-time major-winner as his golfing comeback continues to fizzer.
The latest case of his body failing him comes with a new report that claims the American wants to retire, The Sun reports.
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A report claims Woods is only playing to support his recently launched clothing line Sun Day Red.
Woods unveiled his new apparel and golf gear company at the Riviera Country Club last week after his shock split from Nike after a partnership of 27 years.
Having been listed as a billionaire by Forbes in 2022 with estimated earnings of $1.8 billion, Woods doesn’t particularly need his new venture to succeed — but it is the real reason he continues to appear at high profile events — according to a report by The Daily Mail.
A source told the publication: “If Tiger could retire, he would.
“His body is beat up but, for his brand, he still has to make and keep appearances and make a go at it.
“After his car accident, he thought that was it. There was almost an amputation in play, so to be back even at all is sort of a miracle.
“Now with this recent illness that had him bow out of the latest tournament, that is unfortunate.
“But he will be back because he has to support his new brand Sun Day Red, and everything else in his world.
“He’ll be back even though he would love nothing more than to retire.”
Woods is the tournament host of the Genesis Invitational which is run by his TGR foundation.
Woods is reported to have made more than $500 million from his partnership with Nike.
He is also reported to have raked in cash through his sponsorship deals with Gatorade, Monster Energy, TaylorMade and Rolex.
Sun Day Red is supposed to be the next big cash cow.
Woods said last week he has been working on the new range “over the years”.
“It’s the right time in my life,” Woods said at the launch event, as reported by NCA NewsWire.
“It’s transitional. I’m no longer a kid anymore. Life changes, I have kids now, and this is an important part of transitioning into this part of my life, to have a product and a brand that I’m proud of.”
Woods and Nike ended their relationship, which began when he turned pro in August 1996 with his “Hello, World” campaign, late last year with the company having ended its golf equipment business in 2016.
Now, he’s all-in with TaylorMade on an apparel and footwear line which incorporates his 15 major championships into the logo of a tiger stretched across the three words.
“I have learned so much over the years and have a lifetime of experience adjusting my apparel and footwear to help me play better based on the way it was constructed,” Woods said.
“There are things that I could tell you that no one knew I was doing over the years. I’m ready to share those secrets with the world.”
Woods has worn some variation of red in the final round of tournaments his entire career because his Thai-born mother, Kultida, told him it was his power colour.
It helped propel him to 82 PGA Tour wins including five Masters titles.
Woods’ car crash in February 2021 shattered bones in his right leg as he tried to find his old form again.
He has played in six official tournaments since returning from the injury but has pulled out of three of them — the 2022 PGA Championship, the 2023 Master and now the Genesis Invitational.
Woods had hoped to play one tournament a month through the 2024 major season.