Nike blow as Tiger is driven to new club

TIGER WOODS has dealt a humiliating blow to his biggest sponsor, Nike, by swapping the company’s latest driver for a Titleist model so old that it isn’t made anymore.

Woods is in the second year of a five-year deal with Nike thought to be worth up to 140m. But the world No1 has a clause in that contract stating he can use another driver if he feels it makes him more competitive.

Following his defeat in last week's Open Championship at Royal St George's by rank outsider Ben Curtis, Woods has dumped his Nike driver and returned to the Titleist 975D with which he enjoyed so much success after turning professional in 1996.