Equipment

Former employee at “The Oven” confirms Nike made Tiger’s TGR blade irons

Published

7 years ago

Oct 13, 2017

The only equipment story that has mattered over the past few days is Tiger Woods’ new “TGR” blade prototype irons. Tiger showed up to his clinic in California with irons we had never seen before, and we asked our GolfWRX Members which manufacturer they thought made the irons.

As it turns out, GolfWRX Members may be even more knowledgeable than we thought. Based on the back cavity, the finish, and the font of the numbers stamped on the soles, 40 percent of GolfWRX members said the TGR irons were made by Nike.

TigerBladeIronsTGRNike

Our inside source, who worked in Nike’s “The Oven” in Fort Worth, Texas, confirmed that the TGR prototype blades were in fact made by Nike.

“Those TGR blades are sweet,” our source told us. “Yes, I do know what they are. We made them for him before we were done at Nike. They are special and it was a tough project emotionally to give them the focus and passion that we always had while wondering if these would be the last we might make for him ever.”

Since Nike Golf got out of the hard goods business, it is likely those were the last irons ever made for Tiger by Nike.

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41 Comments

joe

Mar 26, 2018 at 12:11 pm

I love that Tiger is back. But Tiger will never win a major ever again. Too many great players and he can’t keep a driver in play. Today’s professional venues require long drives for the most part, it’s sad but a major for Tiger not ever going to happen.

Reply Report comment
judi cepat kaya

Jan 8, 2018 at 11:34 pm

Get a life guys. No importance who ever did these clubs for Tiger.

http://www.judicepatkaya.com & ceritabecek.com

Reply Report comment
Situs Judi Domino Terpercaya

Oct 31, 2017 at 6:12 am

It’s genuinely very difficult in this full of activity life to listen news on TV, thus I only
use internet for that reason, and take the latest news.

Reply Report comment
baba booey

Oct 16, 2017 at 9:27 am

He needs GI Pings (7-pw) with soft graphite senior shaft, not those old skool, will bust his back. Rest of the bag sb hybrids.

Reply Report comment
Scott

Oct 15, 2017 at 3:07 pm

Yawn

Reply Report comment
- Doug
  
  Oct 16, 2017 at 12:57 pm
  
  I would advise you to avoid clicking on articles in the future that are boring to you or make you yawn. You’re a bad person.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Mr. Replier Guy
    
    Oct 16, 2017 at 9:44 pm
    
    lol
    
    Reply Report comment
Vvictoria Washington

Oct 15, 2017 at 12:32 pm

“If this is it, he (Woods) doesn’t have anything to prove to anyone,” McIlroy said, via golfchannel.com . “He can walk away from this game with his head held extremely high and he’s done wonders for this game. I don’t think there’s a single figure in golf who did more for the game in terms of bringing different age groups of people into the game, different ethnicities, different age groups and made golf cool in the ’90s, when it really needed an injection of something.

Reply Report comment
- Jack
  
  Oct 27, 2017 at 4:25 am
  
  Successful people like Tiger never did it for others. His drive is only for himself and thus he just wants to show himself that he can still do it. It’s the confidence and self belief that drove him to the mount rushmore of golf. He fell off track becoming the greatest ever but he’s close.
  
  Of course I’m just guessing, but this is a common trait for success.
  
  Reply Report comment
Harvey Weinsten

Oct 15, 2017 at 10:15 am

When are you going to make me a set, Eldrick?

Reply Report comment
The dude

Oct 15, 2017 at 9:28 am

Please take down this article……..please 🙂

Reply Report comment
- Doug
  
  Oct 16, 2017 at 12:54 pm
  
  You’re an awful person. Don’t click on articles you don’t want to read.
  
  Reply Report comment
Mr Muira

Oct 15, 2017 at 2:44 am

Will they fix his knee?…no….thanks for the memories.

Reply Report comment
JT

Oct 14, 2017 at 2:29 pm

I agree that there has been no other equipment news that mattered. I’m thrilled to hear they were made by Nike but I wonder: why didn’t/hasn’t TM made any clubs specifically for Tiger? Were these clubs made before/during/after the announcement?

Absolutely beautiful clubs.

Reply Report comment
UnclePhil

Oct 14, 2017 at 6:27 am

And this is relevant why?! Eldrick’s new irons will not see the light of a cut day! GO AWAY!

Reply Report comment
- Vvictoria Washington
  
  Oct 15, 2017 at 12:21 pm
  
  Tiger will be back! Acceptance is power ????
  
  Reply Report comment
- Doug
  
  Oct 16, 2017 at 12:51 pm
  
  Don’t click on the article then. You go away. You’re a bad person.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Mike B
    
    Mar 18, 2018 at 2:07 pm
    
    Don’t reply, if you are saying the same thing, over and over………
    
    Reply Report comment
TigersArmy

Oct 14, 2017 at 5:32 am

Get a life guys. No importance who ever did these clubs for Tiger.

Reply Report comment
- Vvictoria Washington
  
  Oct 15, 2017 at 12:22 pm
  
  Amen!????
  
  Reply Report comment
- Doug
  
  Oct 16, 2017 at 12:52 pm
  
  Don’t click on the article then. You’re a bad person.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Mike B
    
    Mar 18, 2018 at 2:08 pm
    
    Hey Dougie, get off your knees.
    
    Reply Report comment
Jer

Oct 14, 2017 at 3:26 am

No wonder they’re so fugly

Reply Report comment
Sims

Oct 14, 2017 at 12:53 am

I thought the better one was the golfer that gave his endorsement money back to Callaway and went back to his Taylormades. Was missing to many cuts with his Callaways and lost his card, Callaway should be toasting with champagne after “Loosing” that guy…..with his attitude he will be an also ran on the Dot. Com tour…

Reply Report comment
rymail00

Oct 13, 2017 at 9:28 pm

I’m not saying they are not the same clubs, that’s for sure. But it seems the muscle on the toe is much higher than the 6 iron pic. I suppose maybe the higher muscle on the PW is higher to promote lower launch…? Like I said I’m not saying it’s not the same, but the lines do look a little different…

Regardless interested to hear some official details eventually.

Reply Report comment
- rymail00
  
  Oct 13, 2017 at 9:30 pm
  
  Looking again maybe it’s the angle the pic of PW and 6 iron, that makes the toe muscle look higher?
  
  Reply Report comment
- Dj
  
  Oct 13, 2017 at 11:15 pm
  
  That’s how the vr pros are—the muscle progressively gets higher in the shorter irons
  
  Reply Report comment
  - rymail00
    
    Oct 14, 2017 at 6:25 pm
    
    Cool thanks for clarifying it for me. I was never really up on all of Nike’s clubs, especially their blades.
    
    Reply Report comment
Andrew

Oct 13, 2017 at 7:27 pm

And exactly why do we/I care……? To me the “only equipment story that mattered over the past few days” was Sergio leaving TM.

Reply Report comment
- Maruman
  
  Oct 14, 2017 at 5:11 am
  
  if you don’t care…don’t post…idiotic to do so
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Vvictoria Washington
    
    Oct 15, 2017 at 12:25 pm
    
    Wow!???? That’s absolutely what I was thinking when I read his post!
    If he doesn’t care… why post or even comment?
    
    Reply Report comment
MB

Oct 13, 2017 at 5:25 pm

So they’re Endo forged

Reply Report comment
- The dude
  
  Oct 13, 2017 at 8:25 pm
  
  Exxxxxactly……
  
  Reply Report comment
- tom1
  
  Oct 14, 2017 at 9:22 am
  
  with Surin ore, mined by Bangladesh man, smelted in Guangzhou, by a Manila refugee and then off to Endo.
  
  Reply Report comment
OB

Oct 13, 2017 at 4:49 pm

I weep for Tiger and Nike …. boohoo boohoo …. 🙁

Reply Report comment
- tom1
  
  Oct 14, 2017 at 9:05 am
  
  Tiger is heavily invested in Nike. Stands to reason that the equipment partnership still stands
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Jack
    
    Oct 15, 2017 at 1:44 am
    
    It make sense only cuz he’s not back yet. Why make clubs when he’s not playing? And it’s unlikely he will get his signature line if he won’t be playing as he never established himself playing TM on tour.
    
    Reply Report comment
- Vvictoria Washington
  
  Oct 15, 2017 at 12:28 pm
  
  Please don’t boohoo, right now.
  Tiger’s return will command all of your applause & boohoos
  
  Reply Report comment
  - 4under68
    
    Mar 19, 2018 at 10:24 pm
    
    Bam. You called it. Where’s the haters at now!? Back is good to go. Tiger in contention the last couple weeks. Vegas has him to win the Masters. Life could only get better if he does in fact win the Masters! He’s hunting. And hungry. Tiger on the prowl.
    
    Reply Report comment
- Vvictoria Washington
  
  Oct 15, 2017 at 12:28 pm
  
  Wow!???? That’s absolutely what I was thinking when I read his post!
  If he doesn’t care… why post or even comment?
  
  Reply Report comment
M. Vegas

Oct 13, 2017 at 3:29 pm

Bud light usually makes my ball marker

Reply Report comment

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Equipment

A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic

Published

2 hours ago

Apr 25, 2024

Andrew Tursky

Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.

Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.

We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.

Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).

See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here

Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge

Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.

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A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.

See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here

Turning Back the clock

Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.

But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.

For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.

Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.

The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.

The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.

Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter

Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.

Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.

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It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.

If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.

Brilliant.

See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here

Stricker’s unrecognizable putter

Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.

Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.

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Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates

Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.

Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.

It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.

Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines

Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.

Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.

FitzMagic teams back up

Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.

See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here

And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.

We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!

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