GOLF DIGEST's Mike Stachura noted TaylorMade-adidas Golf yesterday announced that it "would be closing" the long-time HQ of Adams Golf in Plano, Texas. Sources said that the Plano facility "will be closed before the end of the year." It is "likely that the consolidation could include combining and reducing the two companies' outside sales forces." As of '12, Adams "had 180 employees at its Plano headquarters, but it is not clear how many of those employees will be brought on board in Carlsbad." Adams already has "privately debuted several new products set to be released this fall." Meanwhile, "no announcement was made ... with regard to player endorsement contracts for either brand." Adams sponsors Champions Tour golfers Bernhard Langer, Kenny Perry and Tom Watson, and earlier this year "announced its most high-profile signing" when it brought on Ernie Els (GOLFDIGEST.com, 8/13).
PLAYING PARTNERS: In N.Y., Hank Gola noted Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods on Monday will jointly appear on NBC's "The Tonight Show" on "behalf of Nike" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/14). ESPN's Michael Wilbon said Woods and McIlroy appearing together "is not like having Tiger and Phil on in 2003 where they were rivals, probably likely to butt heads on national TV." Woods "befriended young Rory four or five years ago, took him under his wing," and the show is "going to be all hugs and kisses." ESPN's Jason Whitlock said, "I want to see how Tiger interacts with Rory on a national stage. Rory is at his highest, clearly the dominant player, and Tiger is at his lowest since Thanksgiving 2009." Whitlock said Woods, "in his mind," still believes he's the "best golfer, still wants to chase Nicklaus' record and the guy that's standing in his way right now and has a chance to crush Tiger as the face of golf" is McIlroy. Whitlock: "They're going to be interacting together, I want to see how the body language is and maybe a few little jabs get taken" ("PTI," ESPN, 8/13).
GETTING THE MESSAGE OUT: In Boston, Michael Whitmer notes Swiss watchmaker Omega last week extended its sponsorship of the PGA of America through '22. Omega also includes McIlroy "as an endorser, in case you missed any of the 3,287 times that commercial aired during the tournament." Whitmer: "I’m just now getting the song out of my head" (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/14).
