McIlroy's unique logo stems from using his family's washing machine for chipping practice as a childGETTY IMAGES
Rory McIlroy, ahead of tomorrow's Open Championship at the Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland, "debuted another nod to his local roots" in the form of a limited-edition sky blue Nike polo with a "grey washing-machine logo," according to Jonathan Wall of GOLF.com. The logo that McIlroy wore on his chest during a practice round yesterday "seemed an odd choice to roll out at a major championship," but Nike has been "releasing all sorts of interesting logos on polo shirts during the majors this year," including Tiger Woods' "Frank" headcover. The story behind McIlroy's logo comes from when he went on TV as an 8-year-old and "proudly revealed how he spent hours on end honing his chipping using the family washing-machine as target practice." Nike had even "recreated the moment four years ago in an advertisement featuring McIlroy and Woods" (GOLF.com, 7/16). In Belfast, Mark Rainey writes McIlroy's washing-machine logo is "part of a clever marketing ploy" by Nike to "get people talking." And "it’s working." The images have "already been picked up by the leading golf publications and no doubt the stylish shirts will soon be on sale at a golf shop near you" (Belfast NEWS LETTER, 7/17). McIlroy said the special logo was "just Nike sort of doing what they do." He added, "They wanted to do something special for me this week. ... I grew up here, long winter nights hitting golf balls into my mom’s washing machine, so it was a nice little touch" (“Live From the Open,” Golf Channel, 7/17).
