( CNN ) -- Tiger Woods has been clubbed into the long grass by EA Sports after the games manufacturer ended its association with the world 's most famous golfer . Woods , 37 , won the last of his 14 major titles back in 2008 , but this year returned to world No.1 after replacing Rory McIlroy at the top of the rankings . There were 14 editions of the video game bearing his name , which was played by millions of golf fans across the world . Writing on EA 's official website , the company 's vice-president and general manager Daryl Holt commented : `` EA Sports and Tiger Woods have made a mutual decision to end our partnership , which includes Tiger 's named PGA Tour golf game . We 've always been big fans of Tiger and we wish him continued success in all his future endeavors . `` EA Sports golf fans have always loved authentic courses and players , but they 've also asked for more choice and customization in how and where they play . '' EA had previously stuck with Woods through his acrimonious divorce in August 2010 at a time where several other sponsors severed ties with the American . Gatorade , AT & T and Accenture and Tag Heuer all withdrew sponsorship or did not renew their deals following the revelations of Woods ' infidelity and subsequent divorce from Elin Nordegren -- costing him $ 20 million in earnings . From the endorsements he held in 2009 , just two remain : Nike , which teamed up with Woods when he turned professional in 1996 ; and NetJets , a plane ownership-sharing company . `` For most mortal sportsmen , losing the EA deal would constitute a real body blow . At an estimated $ 6.2 million a year , it 's a very significant chunk of change , '' Sami McCabe , CEO of Clarity PR , told CNN . `` However , Tiger Woods is in a unique category in terms of earning potential from sponsorship deals -- particularly from his sportswear sponsor Nike , which ensures he dwarfs the majority of his peers -- in any sport . `` So I do n't see this news being a source of sleepless nights from a financial perspective . However , it might be the cause of concern for the longevity and sustainability of 'Brand Tiger . ' `` According to market tracking company NPD Group , EA sold $ 771 million worth of games boasting the Tiger Woods name . DFC Intelligence , a consulting firm which deals with the gaming market , states that EA made $ 3.79 billion last year -- with its Battlefield and Madden NFL games the top sellers . But while the loss of the EA partnership should not cause major damage to the Woods brand , McCabe does believe the move remains significant . `` Losing a marquee sponsorship deal says two things : first , he 's no longer the force he once was on the golf course ; and secondly , EA will no doubt be replacing him with someone else , '' he said . `` Rory McIlroy would seem the most obvious choice -- assuming his form picks up . So this might be perceived as the first major step in a changing of the guard . `` Losing EA Games wo n't make much of a dent on Tiger 's bank balance , but it does make a dent on his ubiquity . `` And that ubiquity is the single biggest reason why he 's able to command such astronomical sponsorship deals . `` That said , a couple of major wins would surely turn the tide back in his favor . '' EA started making golf simulation games back in 1990 , with PGA Tour golf coming out on PC , Amiga and the Sega Megadrive . In 1998 it produced the `` Tiger Woods PGA Tour 99 '' which became a huge hit on Playstation and blazed the trail for further success . But in recent years EA has begun to take a step back , with the 2010 cover of the game the first to feature another golfer alongside Woods -- Northern Ireland 's rising star McIlroy . A few months later on a newer version it simply showed Augusta , home of the Masters , with no trace of Woods on the cover . Rickie Fowler joined Woods on the front of `` Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13 '' in the U.S. , while Arnold Palmer was used in the latest version .
EA Sports will drop the Tiger Woods name from its next-gen golf games . There have been two editions of the Woods game . PR expert believes Woods in unique category when it comes to sponsorship . Woods sold an estimated $ 6.2 million worth of games with EA Sports ' name on it .