Tiger Woods, who "reportedly was paid" $1M "to defend
his title" at the Deutsche Bank-SAP Open in Germany this
past weekend, "drew 62,000 spectators" to the event, "many
of them teens and children" (USA TODAY, 5/22). The
attendance figure is "about" 20,000 more than the "last time
the event was held near Hamburg two years ago" (AP, 5/22).
THE BALL CONSPIRACY: In Montreal, Pat Hickey, noting
Woods' third place finish at the event after leading through
three rounds, writes, "Do you think Tiger Woods will blame
his collapse in Germany this weekend on the new Nike ball?"
(Montreal GAZETTE, 5/22). Woods' IMG agent Mark Steinberg
said that his client playing the Nike ball at the event
"doesn't mean he plans to switch" permanently from a
Titleist ball, "nor will it affect his relationship" with
Titleist. Steinberg said of Woods renegotiating his
Titleist deal last year, "The purpose was to clean up any
problems that might have existed, and address any future
issues that could come up, and address those contractually.
... The relationship with Titleist remains strong." Woods'
father Earl added, "Tiger is very loyal to Titleist, because
Titleist was there all along" (AP, 5/20).
TIGER'S DRIVING BUICK DEAL: In Detroit, Kupelian &
O'Hara examined Woods' endorsement deal with Buick, the PGA
Tour's "longest-running corporate partner." While the deal
was reportedly for five years and $25M, Buick Brand Manager
for Century/Golf Tony Derhake is keeping the actual figures
"close to the vest." Derhake, on the company's deal with
Woods: "Wheels are turning as to what we might do from here.
We have a couple, three things but it would not be
appropriate to identify yet" (DETROIT NEWS, 5/21).