Tiger Woods made golf history, finishing third in the Deutsche Bank Championship on Monday to become the first golfer to make more than $100 million in earnings on the PGA Tour.

Woods made $544,000 after four rounds around the TPC Boston, pushing his career total to $100.35 million. Phil Mickelson is one spot back of Woods at $66.8 million. Mickelson placed fourth at the Deutsche Bank Championship.

Woods has 74 wins, second all-time to Sam Snead, who collected $620,126 in a career that began in 1937.

Prize money shot up on the PGA Tour after Woods turned pro - a period also marked by a huge increase in television revenues.

"It was nice to have a nice start to my career, and I won some majors early," said Woods, who shot a closing 66 and finished two strokes behind winner Rory McIlroy. "I think we got some interest in the game of golf. A lot more youth, that's for sure."

McIlroy earned $1.4 million for his fifth career PGA Tour victory in a Monday finish at the TPC Boston.

Woods, who has a net worth of about $600 million, remains in contention for the $10 million FedEx Cup bonus for winning the PGA Tour playoffs.

Not included in Woods' career earnings are the millions he has received for endorsing retail products throughout his 16-year career.

AFP

(China Daily 09/05/2012 page23)