Opinion & Analysis
Rumor: Rory to join Nike? Five reasons it could happen
GolfWRX is member published and that means you can join and share your opinions. Last week a member started a rumor that he heard Rory McIlroy is headed to Nike Golf for 250 million dollars over 10 years. Click here to see that post in the forums.
As the friendship between Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods has flourished in recent weeks, so too have the rumors on GolfWRX that McIlroy will join Woods as a Nike Golf athlete next year.
Imagine Woods and McIlroy playing together in the final pairing of The Masters, both sporting Nike swooshes. While the scenario seemed impossible when Woods was the only golfer who enjoyed major media coverage, McIlroy’s dominating performances in the 2011 U.S. Open and the 2012 PGA Championship have brought him to a level of stardom that only Woods can best.
McIlroy currently has an apparel deal with Oakley and is a brand ambassador for Titleist/Footjoy and Jumeriah Hotels & Resorts — a Dubai-based international luxury hotel chain. But all of these deals were signed before McIlroy vaulted to stardom, which means that he and his management company may be looking to cash in on his increased value.
While it is only a rumor for now, a McIlroy-Nike Golf partnership makes sense for both parties. Here are five reasons why we might see McIlroy make a move to Nike Golf in the near future:
No. 1: Nike Golf needs another top-ranked golfer
Unfortunately for Woods and Nike Golf, it’s not 2008 anymore. Woods is no longer an unrivaled force in golf and his continued injury problems put the length of his legendary career in jeopardy. And while Woods is still easily the most popular golfer on the planet, his scandal has hurt his popularity. More importantly it has also seemed to shake the confidence that earned him 14 major championship titles.
Of Nike Golf’s 12 current PGA Tour athletes, only two players are ranked in the top 50 in the Official Golf World Rankings — Woods (No. 3) and Carl Pettersson (No. 32). You have to go all the way to the No. 110 in the OGWR to find the next top Nike Golf athlete on the PGA Tour, Paul Casey, who has made just two cuts this year. To be fair, Nike also sponsors European Tour members Charl Schwartzel (No. 24), Francesco Molinari (No. 25) and Simon Dyson (No. 48), but they are players are unlikely to impact apparel and equipment sales in the way McIlroy could.
No. 2: Global sports stardom
Name a Titleist-sponsored golfer who has risen to global sports stardom? I’ll wait.
Titleist is seen as an equipment brand for the elite player, a market where the company leads the industry. Few products receive as much buzz on GolfWRX as Scotty Cameron putters and Vokey wedges, and with ProV1 and ProV1X Titleist can also lay claim as the undisputed golf ball champion of the world. But it is not a brand that can lead to global sports stardom, a practice Nike has written the book on.
We love Titleist Brand Ambassador Adam Scott, but he’s no Phil Mickelson. He’s not even Ernie Els. McIlroy has the potential to be bigger than both Mickelson and Els. And while he’ll probably never be Lebron James or Dwayne Wade, with Nike and mentor Woods he can certainly be marketed in a similar way as Nike’s biggest star in tennis, Roger Federer.
No. 3: Commercials
Remember the Nike Golf Anthony Kim 20Xi golf ball commercials? They were beautiful while they lasted.
Kim has fallen off the face of the golf world since winning the 2010 Shell Houston Open. Because of injuries to his elbow, wrist and thumb, the one-time golf phenomenon earned less than $34,000 in 10 events in 2012, and he was forced to go under the knife in July after injuring his achilles tendon while sprinting.
A marketing campaign of Woods and Kim was obviously from the get go — at one time they were two of the most energetic, entertaining athletes in golf. But a Woods-McIlroy TV spot would be even better, and would likely rival the Tiger-Frank commercials that became instant classics. Combine Woods’ pedigree and sense of humor with McIlroy’s youth, honestly and charm and you have a hit, folks.
No. 4: Products that match
Nike Golf markets its tour players as athletes, not golfers. McIlroy’s physique and unbelievable clubhead speed gel perfectly with the company’s image. He’s also a natural fit to be dressed head to toe in Nike Golf’s athlete-minded golf apparel.
As far as golf equipment, McIlroy uses a bag full of clubs that are very similar to what Woods uses. He prefers blade irons, one of Nike Golf’s most highly acclaimed products. Nike Golf also convinced Woods, one of the best putters and wedge players of all time, to switch to its wedges and putter, as well its driver and fairway woods. For the right amount of money Nike could probably convince McIlroy to do the same.
No.5: McIlroy has changed courses before
McIlroy surprised many when he jumped ship from Chubby Chandler’s ISM sports management agency in favor of the Dublin-based Horizon Sport Management group in Nov. 2011. Chandler managed one of McIlroy’s childhood heros, Darren Clarke, as well as friend Lee Westwood, making the decision to leave even tougher on McIlroy. But McIlroy said he felt Chandler was leading him “down the wrong path.”
McIlroy always wanted to play the PGA Tour, but under the guidance of Chandler and Westwood the Northern Irishman did not join the Tour in 2011 and skipped The Players Championship that year in favor of the Volvo World Match Play Championship in Spain. McIlroy later said that he regretted not joining the PGA Tour and skipping The Players.
There are hurdles to McIlroy migrating from his current sponsors, such as the length of his current contracts, but just like a round of golf can quickly change its course, so too can endorsement deals on the PGA Tour. Consider Rickie Fowler’s move from Titleist to Cobra-Puma last year. Fowler completely altered the direction of the former Acushnet-owned brand, making them a serious player among the major OEMs. McIlroy could take a brand like Nike Golf, a company that started out much like Cobra-Puma in its infancy, and grow it to the level of a company like TaylorMade-Adidas with the help of Woods.
Agree? Disagree? Leave your comments here, or in the “Tour/Pre-release forum.”
You can follow Zak on Twitter @ZakKoz or GolfWRX @GolfWRX.
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Of all the clubs in our bags, wedges are almost always the simplest in construction and, therefore, the easiest to analyze what might make one work differently from another if you know what to look for.
Wedges are a lot less mysterious than drivers, of course, as the major brands are working with a lot of “pixie dust” inside these modern marvels. That’s carrying over more to irons now, with so many new models featuring internal multi-material technologies, and almost all of them having a “badge” or insert in the back to allow more complex graphics while hiding the actual distribution of mass.
But when it comes to wedges, most on the market today are still single pieces of molded steel, either cast or forged into that shape. So, if you look closely at where the mass is distributed, it’s pretty clear how that wedge is going to perform.
To start, because of their wider soles, the majority of the mass of almost any wedge is along the bottom third of the clubhead. So, the best wedge shots are always those hit between the 2nd and 5th grooves so that more mass is directly behind that impact. Elite tour professionals practice incessantly to learn to do that consistently, wearing out a spot about the size of a penny right there. If impact moves higher than that, the face is dramatically thinner, so smash factor is compromised significantly, which reduces the overall distance the ball will fly.
Every one of us, tour players included, knows that maddening shot that we feel a bit high on the face and it doesn’t go anywhere, it’s not your fault.
If your wedges show a wear pattern the size of a silver dollar, and centered above the 3rd or 4th groove, you are not getting anywhere near the same performance from shot to shot. Robot testing proves impact even two to three grooves higher in the face can cause distance loss of up to 35 to 55 feet with modern ‘tour design’ wedges.
In addition, as impact moves above the center of mass, the golf club principle of gear effect causes the ball to fly higher with less spin. Think of modern drivers for a minute. The “holy grail” of driving is high launch and low spin, and the driver engineers are pulling out all stops to get the mass as low in the clubhead as possible to optimize this combination.
Where is all the mass in your wedges? Low. So, disregarding the higher lofts, wedges “want” to launch the ball high with low spin – exactly the opposite of what good wedge play requires penetrating ball flight with high spin.
While almost all major brand wedges have begun putting a tiny bit more thickness in the top portion of the clubhead, conventional and modern ‘tour design’ wedges perform pretty much like they always have. Elite players learn to hit those crisp, spinny penetrating wedge shots by spending lots of practice time learning to consistently make contact low in the face.
So, what about grooves and face texture?
Grooves on any club can only do so much, and no one has any material advantage here. The USGA tightly defines what we manufacturers can do with grooves and face texture, and modern manufacturing techniques allow all of us to push those limits ever closer. And we all do. End of story.
Then there’s the topic of bounce and grinds, the most complex and confusing part of the wedge formula. Many top brands offer a complex array of sole configurations, all of them admittedly specialized to a particular kind of lie or turf conditions, and/or a particular divot pattern.
But if you don’t play the same turf all the time, and make the same size divot on every swing, how would you ever figure this out?
The only way is to take any wedge you are considering and play it a few rounds, hitting all the shots you face and observing the results. There’s simply no other way.
So, hopefully this will inspire a lively conversation in our comments section, and I’ll chime in to answer any questions you might have.
And next week, I’ll dive into the rest of the wedge formula. Yes, shafts, grips and specifications are essential, too.
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Golf's Perfect Imperfections
Golf’s Perfect Imperfections: Amazing Session with Performance Coach Savannah Meyer-Clement
In this week’s episode, we spent some time with performance coach Savannah Meyer-Clement who provides many useful insights that you’ll be able to implement on the golf course.
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19th Hole
Vincenzi’s 2024 RBC Heritage betting preview: Patrick Cantlay ready to get back inside winner’s circle
Just a two-hour drive from Augusta National, the PGA TOUR heads to Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, S.C. Hilton Head Island is a golfer’s paradise and Harbour Town is one of the most beautiful and scenic courses on the PGA TOUR.
Harbour Town Golf Links is a par-71 that measures 7,121 yards and features Bermuda grass greens. A Pete Dye design, the course is heavily tree lined and features small greens and many dog legs, protecting it from “bomb-and-gauge” type golfers.
The field is loaded this week with 69 golfers with no cut. Last year was quite possibly the best field in RBC Heritage history and the event this week is yet another designated event, meaning there is a $20 million prize pool.
Most of the big names on the PGA Tour will be in attendance this week with the exceptions of Hideki Matsuyama and Viktor Hovland. Additionally, Webb Simpson, Shane Lowry, Gary Woodland and Kevin Kisner have been granted sponsors exemptions.
Past Winners at Harbour Town
- 2023: Matt Fitzpatrick (-17)
- 2022: Jordan Spieth (-13)
- 2021: Stewart Cink (-19)
- 2020: Webb Simpson (-22)
- 2019: CT Pan (-12)
- 2018: Sotoshi Kodaira (-12)
- 2017: Wesley Bryan (-13)
- 2016: Branden Grace (-9)
- 2015: Jim Furyk (-18)
In this article and going forward, I’ll be using the Rabbit Hole by Betsperts Golf data engine to develop my custom model. If you want to build your own model or check out all of the detailed stats, you can sign up using promo code: MATTVIN for 25% off any subscription package (yearly is best value).
Key Stats For Harbour Town
Let’s take a look at key metrics for Harbour Town Golf Links to determine which golfers boast top marks in each category over their past 24 rounds.
Strokes Gained: Approach
Strokes Gained: Approach is exceedingly important this week. The greens at Harbour Town are about half the size of PGA TOUR average and feature the second-smallest greens on the tour. Typical of a Pete Dye design, golfers will pay the price for missed greens.
Total SG: Approach Over Past 24 Rounds
- Scottie Scheffler (+1.27)
- Tom Hoge (+1.27)
- Corey Conners (+1.16)
- Austin Eckroat (+0.95)
- Cameron Young (+0.93)
Good Drive %
The fairways at Harbour Town are tree lined and feature many dog legs. Bombers tend to struggle at the course because it forces layups and doesn’t allow long drivers to overpower it. Accuracy is far more important than power.
Good Drive % Over Past 24 Rounds
- Brice Garnett (88.8%)
- Shane Lowry (+87.2%)
- Akshay Bhatia (+86.0%)
- Si Woo Kim (+85.8%)
- Sepp Straka (+85.1%)
Strokes Gained: Total at Pete Dye Designs
Pete Dye specialists tend to play very well at Harbour Town. Si Woo Kim, Matt Kuchar, Jim Furyk and Webb Simpson are all Pete Dye specialists who have had great success here. It is likely we see some more specialists near the top of the leaderboard this week.
SG: TOT Pete Dye per round over past 36 rounds:
- Xander Schauffele (+2.27)
- Scottie Scheffler (+2.24)
- Ludvig Aberg (+2.11)
- Brian Harman (+1.89)
- Sungjae Im (+1.58)
4. Strokes Gained: Short Game (Bermuda)
Strokes Gained: Short Game factors in both around the green and putting. With many green-side bunkers and tricky green complexes, both statistics will be important. Past winners — such as Jim Furyk, Wes Bryan and Webb Simpson — highlight how crucial the short game skill set is around Harbour Town.
SG: SG Over Past 24 Rounds
- Jordan Spieth (+1.11)
- Taylor Moore (+1.02)
- Wyndham Clark (+0.98)
- Mackenzie Hughes (+0.86)
- Andrew Putnam (+0.83)
5. Greens in Regulation %
The recipe for success at Harbour Town Golf Links is hitting fairways and greens. Missing either will prove to be consequential — golfers must be in total control of the ball to win.
Greens in Regulation % over past 24 rounds:
- Brice Garnett (+75.0%)
- Scottie Scheffler (+69.9%)
- Corey Conners (+69.0%)
- Shane Lowry (+68.3%)
- Patrick Rodgers (+67.6%)
6. Course History
Harbour Town is a course where players who have strong past results at the course always tend to pop up.
Course History over past 24 rounds:
- Patrick Cantlay (+2.34)
- Cam Davis (+2.05)
- J.T. Poston (+1.69)
- Justin Rose (+1.68)
- Tommy Fleetwood (+1.59)
The RBC Heritage Model Rankings
Below, I’ve compiled overall model rankings using a combination of the five key statistical categories previously discussed — SG: Approach (24%), Good Drives (20%), SG: SG (14%), SG: Pete Dye (14%), GIR (14%), and Course History (14%)
- Shane Lowry
- Russell Henley
- Scottie Scheffler
- Xander Schauffele
- Corey Conners
- Wyndham Clark
- Christiaan Bezuidenhout
- Matt Fitzpatrick
- Cameron Young
- Ludvig Aberg
2024 RBC Heritage Picks
Patrick Cantlay +2000 (FanDuel)
With the exception of Scottie Scheffler, the PGA Tour has yet to have any of their star players show peak form during the 2024 season. Last week, Patrick Cantlay, who I believe is a top-5 players on the PGA Tour, took one step closer to regaining the form that’s helped him win eight events on Tour since 2017.
Cantlay limped into the Masters in poor form, but figured it out at Augusta National, finishing in a tie for 20th and ranking 17th for the week in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking. The former FedEx Cup champion will now head to one of his favorite golf courses in Harbour Town, where he’s had immaculate results over the years. In his six trips to the course, he’s only finished worse than 7th one time. The other finishes include three third places (2017, 2019, 2023) and one runner-up finish (2022). In his past 36 rounds at Harbour Town, Cantlay ranks 1st in Strokes Gained: Total per round at the course by a wide margin (+2.36).
Cantlay is winless since the 2022 BMW Championship, which is far too long for a player of his caliber. With signs pointing to the 32-year-old returning to form, a “signature event” at Harbour Town is just what he needs to get back on the winning track.
Tommy Fleetwood +3000 (FanDuel)
I truly believe Tommy Fleetwood will figure out a way to win on American soil in 2024. It’s certainly been a bugaboo for him throughout his career, but he is simply too talented to go another season without winning a PGA Tour event.
At last week’s Masters Tournament, Fleetwood made a Sunday charge and ended up finishing T3 in the event, which was his best ever finish at The Masters. For the week, the Englishman ranked 8th in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach, 10th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking and 16th in Strokes Gained: Putting.
Harbour Town is a perfect layout for Fleetwood, and he’s had relative success at this Pete Dye design in the past. In his four trips to the course, he’s finished inside of the top 25 three times, with his best finish, T10, coming in 2022. The course is pretty short and can’t be overpowered, which gives an advantage to more accurate players such as Fleetwood. Tommy ranks 8th in the field in Good Drive % and should be able to plot his way along this golf course.
The win is coming for Tommy lad. I believe there’s a chance this treasure of a golf course may be the perfect one for him to finally break through on Tour.
Cameron Young +3300 (FanDuel)
Cameron Young had a solid Masters Tournament last week, which is exactly what I’m looking for in players who I anticipate playing well this week at the RBC Heritage. He finished in a tie for 9th, but never felt the pressure of contending in the event. For the week, Young ranked 6th in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee and 6th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking.
Despite being one of the longest players off the tee on the PGA Tour, Young has actually played some really good golf on shorter tracks. He finished T3 at Harbour Town in 2023 and ranks 20th in the field in Good Drive% and 16th in Greens in Regulation in his past 24 rounds. He also has strong finishes at other shorter courses that can take driver out of a players hand such as Copperhead and PGA National.
Young is simply one of the best players on the PGA Tour in 2024, and I strongly believe has what it takes to win a PGA Tour event in the very near future.
Corey Conners +5500 (FanDuel)
Corey Conners has had a disappointing year thus far on the PGA Tour, but absolutely loves Harbour Town.
At last week’s Masters Tournament, the Canadian finished T30 but ranked 20th in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach. In his past 24 rounds, Conners ranks 3rd in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach, 3rd in Greens in Regulation % and 24th in Good Drive %.
In Conners’ last four trips to Harbour Town, his worst finish was T31, last season. He finished T4 in 2021, T12 in 2022 and ranks 8th in Strokes Gained: Total at the course over his past 36 rounds.
Conners hasn’t been contending, but his recent finishes have been encouraging as he has finished in the top-25 in each of his past three starts prior to The Masters, including an impressive T13 at The PLAYERS. His recent improvement in ball striking as well as his suitability for Harbour Town makes Conners a high upside bet this week.
Shane Lowry (+7500) (FanDuel)
When these odds were posted after Lowry was announced in the field, I have to admit I was pretty stunned. Despite not offering much win equity on the PGA Tour over the last handful of years, Shane Lowry is still a top caliber player who has the ability to rise to the top of a signature event.
Lowry struggled to score at The Masters last week, but he actually hit the ball really well. The Irishman ranked 1st for Strokes Gained: Approach on the week and 7th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking. As usual, it was the putter that let him down, as he ranked 60th in the field in Strokes Gained: Putting.
Harbour Town is most definitely one of Lowry’s favorite courses on the PGA Tour. In his six starts there, he’s finished in the top 10 three times, including third twice. Lowry is sensational at Pete Dye designs and ranks 7th in Strokes Gained: Total in his past 36 rounds on Dye tracks.
Lowry is perfect for Harbour Town. In his past 24 rounds, he ranks 5th in Strokes Gained: Approach, 2nd in Good Drive% and 5th in Green in Regulation %. If he figures it out on the greens, Shane could have his first win in America since 2015.
Lucas Glover +12000 (FanDuel)
This is one of my weekly “bet the number” plays as I strongly believe the odds are just too long for a player of Glover’s caliber. The odds have been too long on Glover for a few weeks now, but this is the first event that I can get behind the veteran being able to actually contend at.
Glover is quietly playing good golf and returning to the form he had after the understandable regression after his two massive victories at the end of 2023. He finished T20 at The Masters, which was his best ever finish at Augusta National. For the week, Lucas ranked 18th for Strokes Gained: Approach and 20th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking.
Over his past 24 rounds, Glover ranks 9th in Strokes Gained: Approach and 13th in Good Drive %. Harbour Town is a short course that the 44-year-old will be able to keep up with the top players on Tour off the tee. He’s played the course more than 20 times, with mixed results. His best finishes at Harbour Town include a T7 in 2008, but recently has a finish of T21 in 2020.
Glover has proven he can contend with the stars of the Tour on any given week, and this number is flat out disrespectful.
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Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
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xorisszdiegr
Mar 28, 2013 at 7:19 pm
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tony
Mar 8, 2013 at 9:16 am
I think PHIL got it right when he said “all those years ago”, if Tiger was to play with decent equipment, just think how good he would really be. It will destroy McIlroys game using Nike clubs.
deano
Jan 14, 2013 at 11:33 am
Titleist clubs seem to have worked well for steve stricker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ron Faldo
Dec 12, 2012 at 11:40 pm
Team Nike for Rory, Nick Watney…and a few other players to be named later. He will still win with Nike clubs and they will have the most technologically advanced driver on the market in 2013. Schwartzel just demolished Asia with “inferior clubs” that Phil jealous Mickelson is referring to. Watch Nike explode in 2013 with wins all over the PGA Tour…..
schellbomber
Nov 28, 2012 at 9:10 pm
that will be legit if he goes to nike!
calvin
Oct 26, 2012 at 6:27 pm
Since when does Woods have a sense of humor?
Eugene
Oct 22, 2012 at 7:54 pm
Marc V …where did u here this ..I for one hope it is a done deal!
Marc V.
Oct 22, 2012 at 3:19 pm
Wow, don’t some of you look just rediculous! “Rors” (like you say Jordan, are you all his good friends) just announced this morning that he will be signing a deal with NIKE GOLF in the range of the 10 million (according to SportsCenter). Rory wants SO much to be like Tiger Woods, of course he went with Nike. Shame on all of you for thinking you know something about the golf business…. fools.
Steve Wright
Oct 18, 2012 at 8:38 am
I hear that to be true this week, Taylormade offered him a deal over the Olympics when Dustin, Justin and Sergio were hitting balls in the Thames but Nike have blown their deal….rumour is its excess of $30 Million a year
Jordan
Oct 18, 2012 at 1:33 am
I love it how some of you are calling Rory “Rors” like you are best friends. Do you guys kick it at his house and talk about future plans and contracts? Hit up the bumper cars? You guys make me laugh. “Rors wouldn’t do that”. Oh..okay? Text him and tell him what we’re saying, k? Haha
As for the contract goes, that would be awesome. Suck for Titleist. But imagine the marketing Nike could have. Imagine a “RM” forged blade? No, wait, a “Rors” forged blade. Yup. Sold! Haha
Todd
Oct 10, 2012 at 2:22 pm
You can’t keep arguing, and throwing out different reasons why it won’t happen and that it isn’t going to happen. But I GUARANTEE you, he signs with Nike within the next year (probably sooner than later). Got word from our Nike reps in the area where they produce all Nike tour clubs.
Adder
Oct 9, 2012 at 6:36 pm
When Rors was with ISM there was talk that Taylor Made & Nike were in a bidding war to sign Rors. But having resigned with Titleist it wont happen for another 2.5 years at least. So no Rors will not be playing Nike next year.
Ron Faldo
Dec 12, 2012 at 11:42 pm
You can eat those words now…..salt, pepper, ketchup?
mike felt
Sep 23, 2012 at 9:27 am
Rory is a fine young man and has made good choices during his young career. I hope he’s not going to change because of the large monies that have ruined all sports today.
JakeAzgolf
Sep 21, 2012 at 12:11 am
Nike has way to much money to spend now, after the jersey switch for the NFL also. i wouldnt be surprised if the bought canada and called it Northern Nike!!!!
Joel
Feb 1, 2013 at 12:38 pm
As a canadian, and a Nike fan, using nike irons in my bag, and nike shoes on the track, (best track spike in the world barre none) I would be fine with this, so long as they gave me a discount on gear.
Sebastian
Sep 19, 2012 at 10:01 pm
That must be the reason why the Florida resident has broken the 18 Major record…
Jayrock72
Sep 18, 2012 at 4:13 pm
Method putters are the finest craftsmanship the putter Market can offer. I’ve had many scottys and now am the happiest I’ve ever been using the method 001. Class
jamrock
Sep 17, 2012 at 9:05 pm
I have a been loyal Nike fan for the past 8 years fsince my first set of pro combos. I currently play the vr pro limited, Dymo 3 wood and Vr pro ltd 5 wood with VR forged irons and wedges.To each his own but how can you have an educated opnion on something if you have never tried it.
I also saw comments on “Chasing the Money”. I would like to know what they would do if someone offered you 3 or 4 times their salary to try something diffrerent? Say no. I am not working for money. These make their living playing golf and have to make the best financial decision for them.
JUST ENJOY THE RIDE!! The equipment with he top brands offer the same quality
Sean
Sep 16, 2012 at 4:01 pm
In regards to the people thinking that Nike golf equipment is garbage, Nike has 2 of the top 3 forgers in the world. Number one being of course Mr Miura. David Franklin is a close second, but has nowhere near the publicity Miura has gotten, given Miura created his own business.
Sean
Sep 16, 2012 at 3:42 pm
I agree with this article, titliest has not sponsored athletes or golfers for that matter that has even come close to the level of global stardom that Nike has produced for its athletes. For example, Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Roger Federer, Bo Jackson, Lance Armstrong, Etc
Titliest?…….Mind still draws a blank. Plus Titliest has no where close to the kind of money Nike is willing pay its athletes. If the rumor of 250 million for 10 years is correct for Rory, he would be stupid not to say yes.
Tyson
Sep 16, 2012 at 12:04 pm
If you ACTUALLY think Tiger uses anything but Nike clubs (i.e. cloned titty or mizzy clubs) then you haven’t a clue. I’ve even heard people say his putter isn’t a method, its a painted scotty. LOL you guys are clowns.
Sebastian
Sep 15, 2012 at 8:29 pm
He must have been two years old at that time…
Adam
Sep 15, 2012 at 8:21 pm
It’s no secret that Rory tried to get a contract with Nike before he was good and they turned him down.
Zach
Sep 15, 2012 at 10:05 am
In regards to number 4 and Nike convincing Tiger to use their wedges and putter. Im not one to think equipment makes people better or worse its more swing and technique but Tiger use to be the best putter, mayb ever, and one of the best wedge players, after switching to nike garbage, his putter and wedge game has been aweful. most likely whats keeping him from playing Tiger like golf. The method putter is better for slow greens and long, slow strokes which is obvious by Tigers lack of making putts. His firm stroke and aggressive speed dont match up with the method putter. When it comes to wedges and putters Scotty and Vokey are the best,
chazz
Sep 15, 2012 at 2:48 am
I have to agree with Andrew, Nike clubs have come a long way and after playing with a few, i wouldn’t mind putting them in play. Honestly, Nike started off with such a bad reputation among lower handicap players that people still assume Nike clubs are garbage. Just because Nike invests more than the next brand in marketing their equipment does not automatically mean they lack in performance.
Sebastian
Sep 14, 2012 at 10:14 pm
Dear Andrew, I did not intend to say that Titleist clubs are for everybody. My old 681’s have been with me since I was 15 and I still can find a chik hotter than them (not to mention my fellow club members). I do find enlightning your post. It quite confirms my point.
Cheers,
S
Andrew
Sep 14, 2012 at 4:55 pm
Sebastian…you obviously must be an expert in everything. I am a 2 handicap player and play with nike forged irons as well as the VR 3 wood. I play Ping Anser Driver. The feel on the irons are completely different. I’ve played Titleist 690’s and also AP1’s…Nike are just as forgiving and make me a better golfer.
Maybe you should play a few rounds before you blow your wad on something you clearly don’t understand.
Rory is a phenominal talent and should stick to his roots. If he wants to get paid for it, why not? He’s clearly the next generation of greatness for the world of golf.
Sebastian
Sep 13, 2012 at 9:07 pm
No, Chazz. I quite agree with you.
I just intended to make a point on what I consider to be important in deciding which clubs I play (i.e. performance, performance, performance) and what I just consider rubbish (i.e. advertising and endorsements).
Cheers!
gmacguy
Sep 13, 2012 at 7:11 pm
It would be a smart move for Nike to sign up Rory. After all, they have Kobe and Lebron on the same ticket. Nike would love to stick it to Oakley too. Adidas/TM may be a player in this game. Notice who his girlfriend plays for. Maybe Nike should sign up both!
Sebastian
Sep 13, 2012 at 6:56 am
C’mon! TW uses a cloned Titleist set (with the Nike stamp, of course, BUT they are still a cloned Titleist set) and his fortune with the money-maker club has gone anywhere south since he stoped using his long-mate Scotty’s newport 2…
In the past, Tiger dominated the game because of his putting and, ABOVE ALL, because of the aura of superiority he used to take to the course (both of them, have been long lost in the mists of time…). All in all, I don’t know a single golfer with a one-digit handicap that would spend a dollar on Nike clubs (or balls), even if TW, Rors, the Queen of England, his mom and mistress, all together, would ask him to give them a try…
Ron Faldo
Dec 12, 2012 at 11:53 pm
Arizona teaching professional, all Nike in my bag, strong 3 handicap and they are as good as anything on the market. Only thing that has come close is my Ben Hogan Apex blades, ’99 edition. Of course shaft changes on the woods and 2 iron. Nike started out rough but has the cash in excess to be the top club manufacturer if they wanted to….best driver of 2013… Nike Covert. Shwartzel just destroyed Asia with all Nike clubs…..
chazz
Sep 13, 2012 at 5:13 am
and Kenny Perry?? seriously?
chazz
Sep 13, 2012 at 5:12 am
seriously, all this talk about Rory not performing well with nike clubs is garbage. Obviously these guys can get whatever they want and are not using the same clubs you and I buy off the rack. I’m not a Nike fanboy or even a Tiger fanboy, but how many tournaments and majors has Tiger won using Nike equipment?? and the inconsistency in his game right now is obviously not the equipment. Even Phil switched and is still winning. You can’t bring guys like camillo and graeme in the same conversation because they dont have the same talent as Rory. There are tons of other factors you have to consider when a player switches brands and fails to live up to expectations….think about it, money perhaps?? you just land a huge million dollar contract and just maybe you get complacent. is that possible?? yes. This might even be a better explanation rather than the “blame it on the equipment.” and it might be a huge factor as to why global elite players continue to do well and others do not. Their pure passion for the game and their determination to be the best. And does Rory possess these qualities?? I think yes.
bravesgolf
Sep 13, 2012 at 4:16 am
Hey John. Thanks, I used to follow the Atlanta braves a while back (not as much now) so it’s a name I’ve used for forums and ebay for quite some time now. I guess I was just thinking that non golfers (no matter the country) would more than likely know Tiger Woods more than any other golfer (possibly more than any other athlete). That’s what I took from the article as meaning global star. I think lot’s of golf fans from all around the world would know the top USPGA golfers (NW, JD, BH and WS are all at the top of course) but if you asked non golfers as well, I think Tiger Woods would be one of the very few (if not the only one) that people would recognise. Having said all of that, GO PHIL (from Australia!) for the Fedex cup!
pooch
Sep 12, 2012 at 5:49 pm
Worst idea in the world is to change clubs after you’ve won several majors. I remember Kenny Perry warning all young players “chasing money isn’t worth losing your game”
memphisunited
Sep 12, 2012 at 10:13 am
Switching equipment companies hasn’t seemed to work very well for most players lately. Graeme McDowell switched after the US Open and he didn’t have much success afterward. I think Rory should take note before making a jump. It may come down to legacy or quick cash…which one does he want?
Sebastian
Sep 11, 2012 at 11:30 pm
Nike manufactures cheap clubs for sunday golfers (alleged “1 digit handicapers” who would not break 90 if they would play in greens other than those parking lot-size greens they are used to play). Nike could very well use McIlroy or Woods to market its products, but they will remain cheap OTC products that, at best, last barely more than a summer affair…
Big O Rick
Sep 11, 2012 at 1:24 pm
I bet Tiger would give anything to be putting with a Scotty Cameron right now. Putting is about the only thing that hasn’t come back for him. I may be crazy but I just see Rors being a little more loyal a kid and not as much a money grubber. That set up seems to be working just fine fo him now and I am sure Titeleist will make it worth his while to keep their name on his bag.
Ryan
Sep 11, 2012 at 12:38 am
Why would you have the best year of your career and jump ship to, as Phil called it, “inferior equipment.” Where did this story come from, ESPN?
Underpar
Sep 10, 2012 at 10:56 pm
I just wanna say that people that think nike dosent care as much for its golf division last year they have injected more money in the driver that callaway as put in there full line of club so for sure nike as the money ans they will sign rory if they think its worth it. And by the way nike blades are the best blade on tour right now you just have to try it to know it( if you are a good golfer for sure)
Nice article zak!
Chico
Sep 10, 2012 at 10:22 pm
Rory and Tiger = Nike a major player in the golf industry!
Stephen
Sep 10, 2012 at 12:37 pm
Rory with Nike Golf=$$$$$ for Nike Golf.
Tyler
Sep 10, 2012 at 10:08 am
If Rory has any aspirations of beating Jack’s (or possibly Tiger’s) record for major championships, he’d better stick with a golf equipment company that just does golf equipment. My guess is that Nike could care less about their golf division. I’m sure they make 5x more money on soccer equipment than golf equipment and not to mention they have to pay a huge chunk to Tiger. I think if Rory goes to Nike we’ll know he’s lost sight of beating Jack’s record and is more focused on money. That will be a sad day!
cyrus681
Sep 10, 2012 at 8:16 am
Yeti,
Although I agree with some of your personal theorem, it still has plenty of holes. For #1- #3, the spending prowess of Nike is unmatched at a level that none of Rory’s current endorsers can see or sniff…their company ideology is different. Just like the Yankees organization, Nike will pursue a candidate that will best promote their brand. Rory is the hands-down chosen one. TMAG and NIKE will always have that battle, which Nike seems to win a majority of the time…biggest example was the big Wie-zer. In hindsight the ROI isn’t enough to break even…if only her parents would let go.
As far as Tiger having to share the throne with Nike, it’s too easy to forget the Tiger-Duval era, because people dwell on David’s fall from immortality. Tiger has shown that he enjoys the friendly rivalry, and he tends to protect players within his inner circle. You cannot look past the benefits of a Tiger mentorship for Rory. I believe Rory can do perfectly fine co-existing with the media, as he has a different personality than Woods. , but there is so much he could benefit from the business perspective. Nike has written the book in marketing athletes, and is a perfect conduit for any player to be idolized in a legendary stature. G-Mac can give advise him all he wants but he’s never been at the Tiger level…the only best advice he can provide is that Rory stay true to himself…which I hope he does.
Asia IS the new world golf platform. Nike is a US firm, but it holds a large stake in Asia for promoting “athletes” and their gear, especially in Basketball. It may not hold a large piece of the market share in golf equipment, but with a Rory and Tiger tandem, they can gain tremendous respectability in Asia…and THAT is one reason they can afford to invest a large amount in swaying Rory to the “dark side”.
GN
Sep 10, 2012 at 7:42 am
Re: 5 why it won’t happen
I think you assume too much. Nike is one of the best marketing companies the world has ever seen. Their calendar is projected out at least 10 years from now. Not present tense or…….when was Tiger’s last major?
That’s the difference between Rory and someone like you. You’ll see Rory as the new Tiger after he wins a couple more majors, but to do what Rory has already done, I’m betting Rory has been believing that he’s the best for over five years now. I’d wager that Rory doesn’t think or believe he is second fiddle to Tiger or anyone else. He is kicking Tiger’s butt on a regular basis now. Yeah they’re buds, so Rors maybe thinks, ‘if this old cat wants to lay and go down peacefully so be it. I’ll just kick his @%% with a smile on my face like I do everyone else.” Rory is classy guy opposite his new pal. Facebook it people the Tiger era is coming to a end. That’s great, time to move on, the future is bright.
Yeti
Sep 9, 2012 at 10:53 pm
And I’ll give you 5 reasons why it won’t happen.
1) TIGER – just because they have exceled in a few rounds played together and appear to be friends – Tiger does not want anyone and I mean anyone encrouching on his turf. At Nike its Tiger and then all the B list stars. Tiger does not want that to change for oh say the next 10 years. And Nike does not want to rock the boat with Tiger – they know he is and will remain the face of its golf dept for many years to come – hence sticking with him through the scandal.
2) Rory – Rory wants to be the big fish thats why he changed agents and its why he won’t go to Nike – in Oregon and at the Oven he will always be second fiddle to Tiger and thats not gonna change until he wins another 4 or 5 majors or Tiger falls out of the top 10 golfers in the world. Rory is #1 at Titleist and would be #2 at Nike – I don’t think the kid wants to be #2 anywhere – not on a leaderboard or in the world rankings and not at a golf company.
3) Contracts – Rory hasn’t changed any of his major sponsors since moving to Horizon – why? He is under contract with everyone (Titleist, Dubai, Oakley) and Nike would have to out pay collectively for all of Rory’s sponsorship space since Nike does not allow its athletes to sport any other logos (bags not included). Thats gonna be expensive and the golf market is too small for Nike to pump $$ into marketing both Tiger and Rory – something would have to give.
4) Rory has been playing fantastic golf for the last couple of seasons so why mess with success on the course. Sure he’s made changes outside the ropes – but he hasn’t changed a thing when it comes to playing the game. Equipment is the same, caddie is the same, swing coach is the same. There’s a long list of guys who switched gear only to struggle to regain form – all Rory has to do is ask his buddy GMac about that.
5) The furture for Rory is in Asia – unlike for Jack and Arnold there will be no money to be made for Rory in buidling golf courses. His long term earning potential lies in marketing goods and services – particularily in the worlds growing markets in Asia. And guess where Titleist’s parent company Fila is located? Thats right Asia – Korea to be exact. Sure Nike has a presence there but it is and always will be a US firm.
tom
Jan 22, 2013 at 12:45 pm
looks like you were 100% correct my good sir 😉
john
Sep 9, 2012 at 2:24 am
bravesgolf i like the name. but as to the descussion we are both right. while simpson, hass, duffner may not be well known by people in the nfl comunity or nba. or for even that manner they may not be house hold names. but who really is. there are several pro athealetes that are not “house hold” but Global is diffrent. and on this i can speak. I live in japan and play golf with japanese people who do know these names. and many of these people can name more golfers than any other popular u.s. sports stars. so its all in how catigorize it.
MarltonPro
Sep 8, 2012 at 11:53 pm
Agree with Tiger pairing ,and molding him to follow in Tiger’s footsteps with Nike, and help from the greatest this era whether you like him or not would literally make him explode….EVERYWHERE. It would do massive amounts for his “marketability” (made that word up) and pockets world wide. Nike is recognized all over the world, and I’m sure a huge percentage of people think tiger when they think Nike. I’m sorry, and love titleist, not one Nike piece of equipment in my bag (def some apparel), and I love acushnet, but they could never match what Nike could do for Rory if it comes down to dollars in cents. This is all just my opinion, but Zak (writer) makes sense, and I actually hope for his sake and amount of talent he does it. Ask ten random people if they know Rory. Do the same with tiger…(even before the off-course contraversy). Then do it again 2-3 years from now after being with Nike. Best for Rory. And yes, it’s about money, and not one person would turn down redicilous amounts of loot, or strippers…..;)jk
*He and tiger work well together
*Nice piece Zak
bravesgolf
Sep 8, 2012 at 11:19 pm
Zac is talking about global stardom, not golf stardom. I can’t stand Tiger Woods but he is a global star. My wife knows nothing about golf but she knows who Tiger Woods is. She wouldn’t have a clue who Webb Simpson, Nick Watney, Jason Dufner or Bill Haas are. C’mon John, they are top players on the PGA tour, but global stars, give me a break!
Surlyn
Sep 8, 2012 at 10:02 pm
I think you’re onto something here. Rory is too big to be repping a hotel chain in Dubai.
Trey
Sep 8, 2012 at 4:31 pm
I like Rory in Titleist more.
bob
Sep 8, 2012 at 3:16 pm
^ You sound very intelligent. Not.
Chris
Sep 8, 2012 at 10:55 am
Really good article, I love how people post comments that try to make themselves look better – get over it.
The author mentioned CS being ranked number 24 you clown.
AC McGaha
Sep 8, 2012 at 9:25 am
Yeah, that was a great move for Duval…oh, wait…
john
Sep 8, 2012 at 7:46 am
“Name a Titleist-sponsored golfer who has risen to global sports stardom? I’ll wait.”
Tiger woods started as a Titleist player.
Phil Mickelson played for titleist
Ricky Fowler was titleist you mentioned it your self.
Bill hass
webb simpson
nick watney all titleist players
jason duffner as well.
Look at ricky’s new clubs how much do you think Cobra payed to use a titleist iron with cobra stamped on it
Tiger changed putters mostlikly becouse of his contract and is fall in stock value. i bet if nike didn’t pressure him he would still be using a scotty.
Mark
Sep 7, 2012 at 6:59 pm
“Nike Golf markets its tour players as athletes, not golfers”. Look at Carl Pettersson, he is the picture of athleticism.
Glenn Racz
Sep 7, 2012 at 6:11 pm
I believe Charl Schwartzel is a head to toe Nike player and is ranked 24th in the OWGR