Tiger Woods is currently hitting with a Titleist 3-wood
and putter and Cobra driver, but he "has been playing with
Mizuno irons," despite his deal with American Brands,
according to George Lazarus of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE.
Lazarus: "But, by year-end, look for Woods to switch over to
Titleist irons." Titleist Chair Wally Uihlein: "We wouldn't
expect any pro to switch irons in the middle of the season"
(CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 4/15).
EYE OF THE TIGER: Nike shares rose 1 1/2 on Monday
after Woods' win at The Masters. On Tuesday, shares of Nike
were up 1 7/8 (THE DAILY). Marketing profiles of Woods
continued, including one by MacGregor & Jones in yesterday's
CHICAGO TRIBUNE and a piece by Richard Sandomir in today's
N.Y. TIMES. IMG spokesperson Bev Norwood, on endorsement
deals: "The game plan is less is more. Earl Woods has said
he doesn't want his son to be the king of endorsements"
(N.Y. TIMES, 4/16). USA TODAY's Bill Meyers profiles Woods'
investment advisors. Meyers: "Despite his newfound wealth,
Woods hasn't made many investments yet." IMG's Hughes
Norton: "I promised the family that I would never let the
pursuit of endorsement money or commercial activity
interfere with Tiger's ability to prepare for competition."
Nike's Robin Carr-Locke: "We're letting Tiger truly hang
back now. There's really no need to push." Woods is "about
to buy a one-eighth interest" in a $15.6M jet (USA TODAY,
4/16). D&F Consulting President Stephen Disson: "Woods
right now is probably the most marketable sports athlete in
America and possibly the world" ("Access Hollywood," 4/15).
OPRAH. TIGER. TIGER. OPRAH: Woods will do an hour-long
interview with Oprah Winfrey to be aired April 24. He will
be joined by his father, Earl (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/16).
SILVER SCREEN: "ET"'s Mary Hart who asked, "Is
Hollywood there for Tiger?" Woods, on acting: "I don't know
what's going on on that end" ("ET," 4/15).
