Woods was in the company of his precocious son Charlie -- as his playing partner -- and daughter Sam on the bag(Getty Images via AFP)
Tiger Woods has suggested that the situation between himself and Nike regarding his $500 million sponsorship agreement is under control as he is still wearing their products in public in his first comment on the matter.
The apparel company and the 47-year-old have been partnered up for almost 30 years but despite his return to the golf scene after missing competitions due to injury, there are reports that Nike are set to call time on their union.
“I’m still wearing their product,” Woods responded when he was probed on the rumors by journalists at the PNC Championship, he is competing with his son, Charlie who is also set to become a professional golfer in the future.
Why the possible split?
The discussion from the press and fans is mostly centered at Woods’ return to golf in 2022 following an almost life-ending car crash in 2021.
At the Augusta National in April that year, he was wearing FootJoy shoes instead of Nike. Normally, athletes are not permitted to associate with any competing brand. For example, Red Bull’s Formula 1 drivers have to remain distanced from Monster Energy products.
Charlie walks it in for dad.
@TigerWoods sinks it for eagle 💪 pic.twitter.com/fgYqeFFNDS— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 17, 2023
“I have very limited mobility now,” Woods said at the time. “Just with the rods and plates and screws that are in my leg, I needed something different, something that allowed me to be more stable. That’s what I’ve gone to.”
But according to No Laying Up, the actual reason is far more simple. Nike intends to close down its golf branch of products after 40 years of involvement, thus meaning they would have no reason to sponsor Woods.
They do seem to be moving in that direction too as they have not sold golf sports equipment since 2016, only selling apparel in the last seven years.
Other ambassadors like Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and Brook Koepka could also depart from the company for greener pastures.
