Tiger Woods wore the Nike swoosh in his final tournament at the PNC Championship, in Orlando on Sunday?
Woods wore his Sunday red and black while playing with his son Charlie in a two-person scramble. His daughter Sam was on his bag. There have been persistent rumors about Woods’ 27-year association with the footwear giant. His current contract expires at the end 2023.
Woods, who is now 20 years old, has been a Nike brand ambassador since 1996. Woods signed a $40 million, five-year deal with Nike founder Phil Knight after he became a pro golfer following his third consecutive victory at the U.S. Woods was then an Amateur and Knight said at the time that the world had never seen anything as impressive as what Woods would do for golf. It’s like art. It’s almost art.
Tiger Woods watches from the second tee at the PNC Championship final round at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando on December 17, 2023. (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images).
Nike Golf apparel and spikeless shoes grew in popularity under Woods. However, its equipment division failed to take off and stopped producing clubs and ball in 2016.
Woods has used TaylorMade golf clubs and Bridgestone balls for the past few years. Since nearly two years he has been wearing Foot-Joy golf shoes. TaylorMade (which was formerly owned by Adidas) hinted on their website that they intend to increase their involvement in apparel starting next year. Nike Golf apparel is worn by several of the club’s endorsers, including Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler.
Woods refused to answer questions about his relationship with Nike on Saturday and was coy.
He said, “I still wear their product.”
He was pressed for more information by a reporter: “Is it the end of this coming up?”
He said, “I still wear their product.”
This was the case this week, but whether it will continue to be so in future remains to be seen.
