Quietly, Woods Switches To Nike Forged Titanium Driver

While an "official announcement was never made," Tiger Woods "has 'officially' switched exclusively to the Nike forged Titanium driver," according to Thomas Bonk of the L.A. TIMES. Woods began using the driver at Pebble Beach in January "but didn't sign off on the club until after the Masters" (L.A. TIMES, 4/25). In Portland, Boaz Herzog calls the move a "coup for ... Nike, which intends to eventually supply all of Woods' golf gear. It represents what many industry insiders see as a significant step in Nike's effort to take a chunk of market share away from industry leaders such as Titleist." Woods had been using drivers made by Titleist or Cobra since turning pro in '96. Nike execs say that "it's a matter of when, not if, Woods will make his next" club change, from Titleist to Nike irons. Nike Golf Sports Marketing Dir Kel Devlin: "I feel like he'll switch. He has to work in the testing amongst his busy schedule." Joe Gomes, spokesperson for Titleist parent Acushnet, who "was not surprised" with Woods' change of driver, declined to say "how the change would affect Titleist's business or if Acushnet expected a full defection by Woods." Gomes also declined to say whether Acushnet would "pursue litigation to stop Woods from switching clubs." Nike Golf GM Chris Zimmerman said that while Woods is under no contractual obligation to switch clubs, "agreements already in place would give him additional compensation" (OREGONIAN, 4/25).