According to a report from the No Laying Up podcast on Monday, next week’s PNC Championship might mark Tiger Woods’s final tournament with Nike. This event also signifies Woods’s last competition of the year.
Having initially joined Nike in 1996 on a five-year, $40 million deal, the 15-time major champion extended his partnership through subsequent contracts—a five-year deal for $100 million and an eight-year agreement from 2005 for upwards of $20 million annually.
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However, Woods raised eyebrows during the 2023 Masters Tournament when he appeared wearing FootJoy golf shoes. This shift now suggests that Woods’s departure from Nike might signal broader changes, potentially indicating the closure of Nike’s golf division. Nike had already ceased golf equipment production in July 2016.
No Laying Up’s report speculates that other Nike golf athletes like Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka, and Scottie Scheffler may also part ways with the brand. Additionally, there are hints of an existing equipment manufacturer venturing into creating its own apparel line.
Since Nike’s exit from golf equipment manufacturing in 2016, Tiger Woods has been using TaylorMade clubs. While TaylorMade has a limited apparel line, the report suggests the possibility of an expansion.
Tiger Woods and Nike share an almost inseparable bond in terms of brand recognition. Woods has been featured in iconic Nike commercials, and the company’s golf equipment line, founded in 1998, owes much of its existence to its association with Woods.
If Nike indeed exits the golf scene entirely, it would bring an end to nearly 40 years of crafting golf apparel. Although it would be unusual not to see Tiger Woods in Nike attire, his personal brand has grown significantly, suggesting that he might continue with similar color schemes regardless of his sponsorship.