Weekly | Top dogs depart, Rory's Global Dream, Tiger-Nike Divorce Fallout, New Sponsorships, and Gear Explosion
A quick look at one of the most tumultuous weeks in the golf industry in recent months
Happy Monday, everyone!
Putter down your phone and prepare for a quick rundown of the latest golf news.
Our committed group of writers has diligently combed through 45+ industry publications, over 30 general news websites, a selection of golf newsletters, and top-notch podcasts. Now, everything’s compiled here, allowing you to get up to speed on the week’s events in under 10 minutes.
If you read this newsletter to the end, we will attempt to shed some light on the following matters:
A shakeup in the golf world: The boss of European golf and the guardian of the essences of St Andrews step aside just as the future of golf is being decided for the next 30 years.
What are the chances of Rory's dream of a global circuit?
What will be Tiger Woods and Nike's next steps after their divorce?
Lots of new sponsorship deals.
A tsunami of new gear releases, as always happens at the beginning of the year.
Three pieces of content that are worth checking out.
💥The bombshell of the week: Two top Leaders Stepping Down Amidst Turmoil
The playoff that the PGA Tour and the Saudi PIF have given themselves to seal a potential deal is shaping up to be a roller coaster of news. But we didn’t see this week’s hurricane of changes at the top of the global golf scene coming.
GOOD BYE, PELLEY. The DP World Tour's CEO is stepping down amidst ongoing negotiations between the formerly named European Tour, the PGA Tour, and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). Guy Kinnings, who’s currently the Deputy CEO and the big boss of Ryder Cup Europe, is set to become the new head honcho of the European Tour starting Tuesday, April 2, 2024. It looks like they’re aiming for a smooth handover.
Rumors about Keith Pelley's departure first surfaced on Wednesday, with Canadian sports media outlet TSN reporting that the soon-to-be 60-year-old would be taking over as CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, which owns iconic Toronto-based teams like the Maple Leafs (NHL) and Raptors (NBA).
Pelley has been the CEO of the DP World Tour since 2015. During his tenure, he strengthened the partnership between the old European Tour and the PGA Tour, launched the Rolex Series, started the G4D Tour for golfers with disabilities, and hosted two successful Ryder Cups. He also led the Tour during the Covid-19 pandemic and formed strategic alliances with the Sunshine Tour and the PGA Tour of Australasia.
MARTIN SLUMBER´S IMPACT. One day before Martin Slumbers, the top dog at The R&A and Secretary of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, had announced his decision to retire in 2024 after nine years.
At 63, Slumbers will manage the 152nd Open at Royal Troon, the return of the AIG Women’s Open to St Andrews, and the 43rd Curtis Cup match at Sunningdale before his departure. A search firm is on the hunt for his successor. The Scotsman has reported that a possible candidate could be Phil Anderton, the former chief executive of both Scottish Rugby and Hearts FC, who is currently The R&A’s chief development officer.
Geoff Shackelford of The Quadrilateral notes that under Slumbers, the organization, once seen as out of touch, underwent a major transformation. He balanced the needs of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews members with the R&A’s business and charity work, leaving the R&A in a better state.
Slumbers initially favored tech over regulation but later advocated for actions that wouldn’t harm the everyday game. This led to new golf ball testing parameters for all golfers. He believes more should be done to make center-hits on the driver face a skill again.
Here’s a snapshot of Slumbers’ achievements:
Major improvements to the Women’s Open Championship, including a partnership with AIG, the launch of new events, and initiatives to promote women’s participation in golf.
Exemptions into The Open for winners of the Asia Pacific and Latin America Amateur Championships.
Comprehensive updates to The Open, including commercial aspects and a successful 2019 Open at Royal Portrush.
Strengthened ties with the USGA, leading to modernized rules and an updated World Handicap System.
Brighton-born Slumbers, also grappled with the Saudi Arabia issue. He initially dismissed partnering with the Public Investment Fund during the 2023 Open, but later didn’t rule out a possible partnership with Golf Saudi. He played a round in the 2023 Alfred Dunhill with PIF head Yasir Al Rumayyan. As he winds down his term, managing the Saudi situation for the R&A and his successor will be a challenge.
In this whirlwind of changes in the various golfing hierarchies, Josh Carpenter from Sports Business Journal mentioned that Brian Rolapp, the second-in-command at the NFL, is being considered as a potential leader for the new PGA Tour Enterprises. There might also be talks with Sean Bratches, a long-time ESPN executive and former LIV Golf executive.
✅ Are Rory´s dreams possible?
Rory has begun his year in Dubai, adjusting his schedule with the aim of being in peak condition for the Masters. His dream is to join the exclusive club of winners of all four major tournaments. His other dream is a global golf tour that would end the conflict with LIV. He believes the future of golf lies in a global perspective, involving PGA Tour and the PIF. According to James Corrigan of the Irish Independent, Rory’s change of heart regarding LIV is due to golf’s low TV ratings. In 2023, not a single tournament made it into the top 100 US sports broadcasts, with the Masters ranking 131st. Austin Karp from SBJ reports that the NFL had 93 of the top 100 most-watched telecasts of 2023, further highlighting golf’s struggle for viewership. In 2023, not a single tournament made it into the top 100 US sports broadcasts, with the Masters ranking 131st.
✔️More about the circuits
Farmers Insurance and Wells Fargo, long-time sponsors of the PGA Tour, have decided not to renew their sponsorships, adding to the challenges faced by the PGA Tour amidst its dispute with LIV.
Meanwhile, the DP World Tour and the China Golf Association have formed a strategic partnership until 2025, aiming to boost the global presence of Chinese golf. This includes the return of the Volvo China Open to the Race to Dubai in 2024.
Porsche has signed a multi-year deal to sponsor the Singapore Classic, despite concerns about its support for the European Open due to DP World Tour sanctions. The car giant will also be the official car partner at the Omega European Masters in 2024.
In other news, Scottie Scheffler’s recent Player of the Year award in the PGA Tour has stirred controversy, with Jon Rahm arguing that the award traditionally goes to the player with the most victories. “Historically, hardware is what’s won basically the player of the year”, he lamented. This adds to the ongoing tensions between LIV and PGA Tour players.
✅Tiger's Moving On: What Does the Future Hold for the GOAT and Nike?
So, what’s up with Tiger Woods after he and Nike called it quits?
To really get the scoop, think about this:
Over the past 27 years, Woods has had three main caddies and two agents. He’s had six corporate sponsors on his bag and four swing coaches. He’s played with three types of golf balls and swung four brands of irons. What never changed was his alliance with Nike.
But the breakup shouldn’t come as a shocker, 'cause the love between the Beaverton big shot and Tiger has been running on fumes for years now.
The Nike Swoosh used to be Tiger’s signature look, but it’s been fading from his gear. He even launched his own TW brand and switched to TaylorMade clubs when Nike Golf stopped making them in 2016.
After a car crash in 2021, Tiger needed more stable shoes and switched to FootJoy. The recent PNC Championship was the last time fans saw Tiger in Nike.
Now, the big question is: who’s he going to sign with next?
Tiger’s set to appear at the Genesis Invitational in February, and everyone’s waiting to see what brand he’ll be rocking.
These are the options we see:
His Own Brand: Tiger could launch his own brand, a challenging but potentially rewarding move. He could find investors and a production line, but would he want to take on such a big project? Only Tiger knows.
Greyson: Tiger’s son, Charlie, signed with Greyson in 2023. Tiger might join him and move to this golf, lifestyle, and activewear brand. Greyson’s comfort-focused products could be a draw for Tiger.
TaylorMade: After rocking a Santa suit in a TaylorMade ad, Tiger might team up with them. He started using TaylorMade clubs when Nike Golf closed in 2016. Now, he might sport their gear too.
FootJoy: Already wearing their shoes, Tiger might go full FootJoy. They offer stylish options that would suit Tiger, and they might put together a sweet deal to reel him in.
Other brands linked with Tiger include Malbon Golf and Skechers. The Swiss brand On was mentioned, but they’re not in the running.
With the TGL on the horizon in 2025, Tiger Woods might be gearing up to hit the Tour more regularly. If he ends the year sporting his own brand and in good health, the golf world will be buzzing for the TGL league.
Meanwhile, rumors are swirling that Nike might bow out of golf entirely, ending big partnerships like the one with Rory McIlroy. After stopping sales of clubs, bags, and balls in 2016, Nike has been focusing on golf apparel and shoes.
With Nike potentially stepping back, golfers like Rory, Tommy Fleetwood, Brooks Koepka, and Nelly Korda, who all have deals with Nike, might need to explore other options. But I reckon we don’t need to sweat about them.
We totally dug these historical tours by Doug Ferguson, AP Golf Writer, and Brittany Romano and Addie Parker from Golf Digest.
And please don’t miss out on this compilation of videos of the best commercials, starting with the iconic “Hello, world” from 1996, by David Gorman for The Irish Times.
✔️Ods and ends
GolfForever, a digital golf training system used by over 400 PGA and LPGA professionals, has secured $10 million in Series A funding led by Clerisy, a consumer growth equity fund. World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler and three-time PGA Tour title winner Tom Kim have joined the round as equity investors and will serve as brand ambassadors for GolfForever. The funding will be used to accelerate the company’s expansion through new partnerships, activations, and research initiatives.
Lululemon, the athletic apparel company, has made its first foray into the PGA Tour by signing a deal with Australian golfer Min Woo Lee. This marks a significant step for Lululemon in the golfing world, as Lee is the first professional male golfer to represent the brand.
PGA Tour golfer Patrick Cantlay has entered into a new sponsorship agreement with Apollo Global Management. As part of the deal, Cantlay will display the Apollo logo on his hat during upcoming golf events, starting with The American Express. This partnership marks Apollo’s first brand partnership in the golfing world.
✅ Tsunami of equipment launches
✔️Taylor Made Qi10 Driver Launch
TaylorMade has launched its new Qi10 driver models for 2024.
The Qi10's focus is increased stability for off-centre hits. When golfers miss-hit the ball, the club face will twist open or closed depending on what part of the face the strike has come from, leading to a loss in distance and accuracy.
The Qi10 drivers employ more carbon fiber that is also lighter compared to what was used in the previous Stealth models.
The weight saving allows more strategic weighting in the back of the head, keeping the club head more resistant to twisting on off-centre hits.
TaylorMade calls this their quest to reach 10,000 inertia, which is the maximum that driver heads can currently reach and forms the basis of the new family name - Qi10.
Three models are available:
Qi10
Qi10 Max
Qi10 LS
The LS model is the low-spin variant aimed at better players, with the Max version being the most stable and forgiving for amateur golfers.
RRP $599.99
✔️Ping G430 Max 10K
Ping has launched its new G430 10K Max driver to join the existing G430, G430 LST, and G430 SFT lineup for 2024
The G430 Max 10K promises the highest stability and accuracy since the G400 Max driver launched in 2018.
The 10K reference in the name relates to Ping creating a driver head with the highest level of stability or Moment of Inertia (MOI) registered as 10,000 inertia.
This means the club face is less likely to twist open or closed if the ball is struck out the heel, toe, high, or low on the face, leading to straighter shots on off-centre hits.
The G430 10K features a larger footprint behind the ball with a new fixed weight deep and low at the back of the club, providing stability.
A heavier weight can be used at the back as Ping employs more carbon fibre into the crown of the head. Using carbon fibre mixed with Ping's now familiar turbulators placed on the crown helps deliver the performance through increased club head speed.
Available in 9, 10.5, and 12 degrees of loft with a variety of factory-fitted or custom-fitted shafts, this could be one of the standout drivers of 2024.
RRP $650
✔️Ping BluePrint Forged Irons
2024 ushers in the launch of Ping's new Blueprint T and S models.
Both irons are forged from 8620 carbon steel and feature Ping's Hydropearl 2.0 finish to improve spin consistency across the face.
A tungsten weight is positioned in the toe to improve head stability through the hitting area.
The T version looks like a sleek blade down at address with minimal offset and a thin top line that better players look for.
The S model still looks sleek down at address but features a forged cavity offering more forgiveness to off-centre hits.
These two irons offer great blending options for golfers, with the S model making up the long irons and the T version in the shorter irons.
RRP $1,799
✔️Mizuno Pro Irons
Mizuno continues its long-standing status of producing some of the best-forged irons available with the launch of the new Pro 241, 245, and 243 irons for 2024.
The Pro 241 is a pure blade aimed at the better player, providing maximum feedback and playability.
The Pro 245 sits in the player's distance iron category. The multi-material design of the Pro 245 iron, forged face, variable face thickness for consistent ball speed across the face, and stainless steel back make these irons suitable for low to mid-handicap territory.
The Pro 243 irons are a technological tour de force wrapped up in a classic traditional head shape.
These irons fall into the traditional player's cavity bracket but offer enhanced performance by adding a new "Microslot" in the sole from the long irons down to 7-iron, aiding energy transfer from the face to the ball at impact.
RRP $1,600
✔️Wilson Staff Golf Balls
Wilson has launched two new golf balls for 2024 - the Staff Model and Staff Model X.
Each ball features four layers - a solid core with two mantle layers that progressively stiffens towards the urethane cover.
Wilson also uses a material known as Zinc Pentachlorothiophenal to boost the ball's core, giving it greater compression for faster ball speeds.
The Staff Model is the softer feeling, lower spinning version compared to the Staff Model X.
RRP $49.99
✅Courses
In 2024, golf courses across the U.S., including PGA Tour and NCAA Championship venues, will undergo significant renovations, with 18 set to reopen. These improvements aim to enhance golfers’ experiences and contribute to the game’s health. By Tim Gavrich for GolfPass.com.
Internationally, new courses are emerging, notably Cabot Saint Lucia’s Point Hardy Golf Club. This top-100 course, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, offers a unique golfing experience. The Cabot brand is also expanding with new courses in Scotland, British Columbia, and its first U.S. property, Cabot Citrus Farms. By Erik Matuszewsky for Links Magazine.
✅Reading, watching…
American golfer Hannah Gregg, who recently joined the Ladies European Tour, underscores the financial hurdles in professional golf. She points out that success doesn’t necessarily equate to financial stability, as winnings often just offset expenses. | No Matter Your Ability, The Emotional Toll Of Thinking About How Much Every Single Event Is Costing You Wears On Every Player The Same.
No Laying Up podcast’s Chris Solomon and Ben Hotaling spent “A week at the 2023 Asia Pacific Amateur Championship”, documenting their experience in a 15-minute film.
That’s all for today, folks.
Have a good one!!!