Nike took away the win at the Tour Championship and FedExCup at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, GA, after sponsored athlete Rory McIlroy shot a final-round 64 and came from three back with three holes remaining to claim both.
Fellow Nike athlete Kevin Chappell finished third.
The news was boasted on Nike’s website, perhaps in a move to show that the swoosh isn’t sour about its impending drop of golf equipment from its repertoire. Quite the opposite. As golf equipment manufacturers rush to pick up former Nike equipment consumers, Nike has been taking steps to harness its grip on the golf apparel category.
On September 26 the company shared news it will celebrate the Ryder Cup — a biennial match play contest between the United States and Europe — with a new capsule, The Nike Golf Club Charge the Cup collection. Yes, Nike is providing wear for both EU and U.S. sides.
With the success McIlroy’s had in the last year, he’s ace real estate for Nike to display its upcoming golf products. However, he’s not the only player the company is banking on.
McIlroy is currently ranked third by the PGA Tour’s Official World Golf Rankings. Above him is Adidas and TaylorMade golfer Dustin Johnson, and behind him in fourth is Jordan Spieth of Under Armour.
The No. 1 player is Australian Jason Day, who is rumored to have signed a $100 million apparel endorsement deal with Nike, reported by ESPN in mid-September 2016. However, Day wore Adidas gear to the Tour Championship, later dropping out of the competition due to back pain. Day also re-signed with TaylorMade in September, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s sticking with its parent company Adidas since the three stripes has put the TaylorMade brand up for sale.
Photo courtesy Nike
