TIGER WOODS - TIGER WOODS BUYS $40 MILLION ESTATE

Golf ace TIGER WOODS celebrated his 30th birthday on Friday (30DEC05) by splashing out $40 million ($22.2 million) on a luxury estate on Florida's Jupiter Island.

The 10-time major champion has set a US record sale price for a property in an area Forbes magazine has labelled the "Most Expensive ZIP Code".

But he can afford it - Woods was the highest earning US sportsman in 2004 with $89.4 million (GBP49.6 million) in winnings and endorsements.

Woods is expected to tear down the 13-year-old main house and build his own luxury living quarters for himself and his wife ELIN.

Local real estate agent DOLLY PETERS says, "The main house is in very good condition, but I'd think that someone who paid that much would want to put their own stamp on it.

"I'd be surprised if he didn't tear it down."