TaylorMade-adidas Golf President & CEO David Abeles said "nothing is changing here for the foreseeable future" despite adidas' plans to sell the majority of its golf division. Speaking to GOLFWEEK's David Dusek, Abeles said he met with "as many players, their teams and representatives as I could" earlier this week in advance of The Players. Abeles: "Everybody is 100-percent confident in the future of the TaylorMade brand and the Adidas Golf brand. Both brands have very strong positions in the U.S. and worldwide marketplaces, and regardless of ownership structure we will be committed to things like great products, great Tour players and servicing our customers" (GOLFWEEK.com, 5/12).
STAR POTENTIAL? SI’s Michael Bamberger noted golfer Rickie Fowler has a certain amount of "star power," but he added it is not "off the charts." Bamberger said, "He is a dynamic presence on the golf course, just the way he plays, the way he carries himself. There is something very likeable about him." However, that does not translate "into his press conferences." Bamberger: "I don’t find him to be a particularly engaging person, but I find him very exciting to watch" ("Morning Drive," Golf Channel, 5/12).
HIT 'EM UP STYLE: Golf Channel’s Lauren Thompson "showcased the adidas outfits to be worn" by golfers Sergio Garcia, Jason Day and Dustin Johnson at The Players this weekend. Thompson said Day “will be wearing … the green/blue combo of the ClimaCool polo. It is lightweight, it is breathable. This is the perfect outfit, the perfect material for a hot afternoon in the Sunshine State at TPC Sawgrass.” Meanwhile, Thompson noted Johnson will be “bringing some color” with a pink ClimaCool performance polo (“Morning Drive,” Golf Channel, 5/12).
