'Balls' to the downturn: It's a Tiger economy after all

NEWS The unlikely statistics have even lead some to suggest the 25-year-old carries more influence than Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan. Dubbed the 'Tiger Woods effect', it is thought that golf-obsessed stock traders are so buoyed by Woods' performances that their improved mood on a Monday sees a resultant rise in share prices. His influence can be seen clearly on the FTSE100. After Woods blitzed his rivals in the British Open by eight shots last July the FTSE rose 2.13 per cent and the TechMARK was up nearly 10 per cent to 4044 the following day - falling the next when the Woods inspired euphoria wore off. Similar surges on the Dow Jones were felt the day after every one of the golfer's last 18 tournaments. Stocks jumped between 10 and 374 points and amazingly in eight of the ten weeks Woods hasn't played this year, the markets have fallen.