Nike blow as Tiger is driven to new club
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.
Woods will use the Titleist when he defends his Buick Open title this week. And he is likely to retain it when he chases a ninth major in the US PGA Championship at Oak Hill next month.
Languishing 128th in driving accuracy on the US PGA Tour this year, hitting the fairway just 64.5% of the time, Woods said: "I wanted to go back to something I've played well with in the past. I'm looking for confidence in my driving."
Stung by recent criticism that he has lost his touch.
Woods admitted: "The new drivers are too hot."
The Titleist 975D is one of the smallest drivers with a head measured at 260cc. Woods' Nike had a 300cc head, while New Zealander Michael Campbell won the Nissan Irish Open on Sunday using a Nike with a giant 400cc head. Mike Kelly, Nike's business director of golf clubs, said: "He's our number one athlete and our toughest customer but he wants to make a switch. We think it's a natural phenomenon for most golfers. Whether you're the best in the world or an average golfer, you go back in the garage and find something you were successful with.
"From a brand stand point, we need to circle the wagons and get a new driver in his hands but the relationship is not strained one bit."
The 975D is not even on the market except in resale bins. Titleist upgraded that version with the 975J in 2001, and the 975K and 975E this year.
While the change may be only temporary, it marks the first time he has gone back to old clubs after switching to Nike. He started playing the Nike golf ball in May 2000, and switched to Nike irons last September.
Woods continues to use his 3-wood, wedges and putter all Titleist products. Kelly said most of its customers prefer larger heads that push the limit of trampoline effect.
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 , although he began using new drivers in the spring.
Softening the blow for Nike is that Woods did not switch to a current model on the market, instead relying on a driver that debuted six years ago.
Still, Kelly said it was imperative to get the swoosh back under the Tiger head cover.
"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."
