Golf: Tiger breaks $40m career earnings mark

American golfer Tiger Woods picked up US$275,000 ($408,564) in the season-opening PGA Tour event, propelling him over the US$40 million mark in career earnings.

Woods finished the Mercedes Championship in Kapalua, Hawaii, at 15-under 277 to tie South Africa's Retief Goosen for fourth behind winner Stuart Appleby.

Woods, who celebrated his 28th birthday on December 30, has accumulated US$40.05 million in his nine-year PGA career. He has captured 39 tournaments and eight majors.

By comparison Jack Nicklaus won US$5.7 million in his career and Arnold Palmer earned US$1.86 million.