Tiger Woods turns up at Augusta Nationwide in FootJoy golfing footwear, no longer Nike

A element of the footwear of Tiger Woods of the USA as he warms up within the follow house previous to the Masters at Augusta Nationwide Golfing Membership on April 03, 2022 in Augusta, Georgia.

Gregory Shamus | Getty Photographs

Tiger Woods did not put on the long-lasting Nike swoosh on his ft when he stepped onto the fairway Sunday at Augusta Nationwide Golfing Membership in Georgia. As a substitute, Woods used to be noticed dressed in a couple of black FootJoy Premier Sequence-Packard golfing footwear.

The sight on the house process the storied Masters event, which kicks off Thursday, caused common hypothesis within the golfing international – and used to be met by means of a imprecise observation from Nike.

“Like golfing lovers all over the world, we’re overjoyed to look Tiger again at the path,” Nike stated in a observation. “He’s an improbable athlete, and it’s out of the ordinary to look him returning to the sport at this degree. His tale continues to go beyond game and encourage us all. As he continues his go back, we can paintings with him to fulfill his new wishes.”

FootJoy is owned by means of publicly traded Acushnet. A consultant for Acushnet did not in an instant reply to CNBC’s request for remark.

The sneakers flap did not seem to transport traders in any significant means. Acushnet stocks rose just about 2% in premarket buying and selling Monday, whilst Nike’s received somewhat.

Tiger Woods of the USA warms up within the follow house previous to the Masters at Augusta Nationwide Golfing Membership on April 03, 2022 in Augusta, Georgia.

Gregory Shamus | Getty Photographs

Some have recommended that the switch-up might be because of Woods’ horrific automobile twist of fate ultimate February, which seriously injured his legs. It would have left him in search of extra at ease choices for his ft.

Woods, who became professional in 1996, has been affiliated with Nike all the way through his occupation. He even has his personal pair of golfing footwear with the sneaker large, Nike Air Zoom Tiger Woods. To make certain, he used to be nonetheless dressed in the swoosh emblem decorated on his coral-colored polo blouse on Sunday.

Woods hasn’t commented particularly on his shoe alternatives this weekend, however he did take to social media to mention he’s going to be creating a “game-time determination” whether or not or no longer he competes within the Masters. Will have to be play, it could mark his first pageant since November 2020.

His ultimate main championship win got here in 2019 at Augusta Nationwide, his 5th Masters name general.

Correction: This tale used to be up to date to mirror the right kind spelling of Augusta Nationwide Golfing Membership.