Tiger to return to old Titleist driver
Tiger Woods catches a cold, and the golf world sneezes. The news that Woods is going back to his old Titleist driver wouldn't even be news if he were someone other than who he is- golfers change equipment all the time- but the future success (survival?) of Nike Golf is tied in large part to Woods' coattails.
Woods brings extraordinary attention to Nike, a relative newcomer to the equipment industry. David Duval became the first player to win with Nike clubs at the British Open two years ago at Royal Lytham & St. Annes, although he began using new drivers in the spring.
Still, no one is more high profile than Woods.
"If he wins a tournament, people say he could play with anything," Kelly said. "If he loses, they say he's not driving the ball, and obviously it's the equipment. That's a no-win situation for us."
Softening the blow for Nike is that Woods did not switch to a current model on the market, instead relying on a driver that made its debut six years ago.
Still, Kelly said it was imperative to get the swoosh back under the Tiger head cover. Woods signed a five-year extension with Nike in 2000 that is worth over $100 million.
"The relationship is not strained one bit," Kelly said. "It's enhanced, because this shows he can play with anything. We'll do everything we can for him to go with Nike."
For those of us who play golf (or try to play), to see the things that Woods can do to and with a golf ball is to see the incomprehensible and the unimaginable. It is even more amazing when you consider that everything Woods does, says, or even implies is worldwide news in an instant. Yes, the man is an amazing golfer, perhaps the best the game has ever known. Certainly as a phenomenon he is unmatched. Even so, would you have every your every thought, decision, or shot analyzed to the nth degree??
What a way to go through life. Talk about living in a fishbowl....
