Golfer Patrick Cantlay is now a “free agent in the equipment market,” according to Doug Ferguson of the AP. Cantlay arrived at this week's Sentry Tournament of Champions in Kapalua with a “black bag” after his club deal with Titleist “expired and Cantlay chose not to renew.” Reps from Callaway and Ping "approached him about sending him clubs to try,” but world No. 4 is “keeping Titleist in the bag” for this week's tournament. Fellow PGA Tour player Tom Kim “arrived at Kapalua sporting the swoosh on his cap, his shirt and his shoes,” making the South Korean the “latest member of the Nike family.” Kim signed the new endorsement deal “during the short offseason” after previously being sponsored by “South Korea-based conglomerate CJ Corp.” CJ is also title sponsor of the PGA Tour’s CJ Cup and it is “seen on the caps and apparel of several South Korean players.” Kim’s deal with Nike reflects the "more global nature" of the young golfer. Fellow South Korean K.J. Choi, a “pioneer for men’s golf in South Korea,” was also a Nike athlete “during his peak years” (AP, 1/3).
KISNER, MULLINAX MAKE CHANGES: PGA Tour players Kevin Kisner and Trey Mullinax have joined Wilson Golf's professional golf advisory staff. With these additions, Wilson adds to a growing roster of golf endorsers that includes Kevin Chappell, Brendan Steel, Kevin Streelman and Padraig Harrington (Wilson Golf). Gary Woodland, a longtime Wilson endorser, was noticeably absent from the staff list (SBJ).
