Bridgestone Golf CEO compares Tiger's financial impact to that of Jordan, Ali

Tiger Woods hasn't won a PGA Tour event in over four years, yet the 14-time major champion can still move product.

Woods has played just three competitive rounds since signing a multi-year ball deal with Bridgestone Golf in December 2016, but was still a valuable asset to the company according to CEO Angel Ilagan.

"The payoff has already occurred for us," Ilagan told Daniel Roberts of Yahoo Finance. "His endorsement value is what's really important for us. He picked our ball as the best ball out there. This is just added gravy for us if he plays."

While other golfers have certainly had an influence on the sport and its growth worldwide, Ilagan said it's nothing compared to what Woods has brought to the game of golf, comparing him to two legendary athletes.

"He's the only golfer in the history of golf that has actually had a positive financial impact," added Ilagan. "I don't think the big-time athlete really has an impact - unless they transcend the game, such as Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan. If they don't transcend the game and they can't reach out and become somebody that people listen to and believe in, it's not something that makes any value."

The 41-year-old recently announced he'll make his comeback at the Hero World Challenge at the end of November in the Bahamas.